The past 24 hours have been somber, to say the least. I personally feel like Robin Williams was the comedian for “my time” – having grown up appreciating him from the beginning as Mork on the sitcom Mork & Mindy – and watching him grow into more serious roles in movies later in his career. He was always crazy, always improvising, always…always…always, with so much heart, doing what he could to make others smile and/or think. Years ago, I recall actors and producers commenting that during the making of “Good Morning Vietnam”, it was useless to have a script because Williams just “went with the idea”. Was it great writing or Williams’ delivery that to this day, has all of us remembering just what “Carpe Diem” means? If anybody other than Williams had been cast for that role, I’m not sure I could ever say I would’ve watched it.

But Williams’ decision to call his life complete yesterday has social media abuzz with the fact that we all ought to pay much greater attention to mental illness – and especially depression. I don’t disagree with that whatsoever…but that’s not the intent of my rant tonight.

If today was your last day…

You know, I have a dear friend at work who consistently rides me for my choice in music. I get the “Hey Tim, 1996 called, they want their music back” type cuts all the time. It’s alright. It’s all in good fun. So when you see that I’ve allowed another of yesterday’s hits to inspire me to write tonight, you’ll laugh and hopefully forgive just why. I was out for my walk tonight, thinking through all I’d read – and putting my own life into perspective with where I’m at right now – right at this point in time. And when the opening bars of Nickelback’s “If today was your last day” came on, I immediately thought “Carpe Diem”. I couldn’t wait to get home and put it all into words.

But before I could do that, I had to wrestle with the boy a little…and watch a bit of Abbey Lee’s Dance Company with my baby girl…a bit of my own seizing the day. Meanwhile, the thoughts stirred around as I tried to come up with a point.

And tomorrow was too late…

At the end of the day, none of us really know. I’ve made this point far too often – in my writing, speaking, relating, etc. We just don’t know. What if? What if that last breath you draw happens now? Right now? Have you grabbed life by the horns and lived the life you wanted to live? Oh sure, there are bumps along the way…there are bumps for all of us…heck, potholes even. But where you sit tonight, is there a regret? A tinge of doubt that maybe…just maybe you could’ve done something different…or even something better?

The chorus repeats over and over:

“If today was your last day, and tomorrow was too late, could you say goodbye to yesterday?”

What does that mean exactly? Heck, I’m a sentimental guy and have had a challenge or two thrown my way…are there things I wish I could’ve done differently? ABSOLUTELY! But there’s a difference between being victimized by a past, and coming to grips with it to be content with the way things turned out. I can’t honestly say I have that licked yet…but then again, that’s a part of the joy in life, learning everyday how to be content with the hand I’m dealt.

The song starts with a great quote:

My best friend gave me the best advice
Each day’s a gift and not a given right.
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride…

I think that’s great advice…the song is filled with cliché – but good cliché about how to live each day as if it’s your last day.

It’s a simple strategy – but so often difficult to execute. Come to grips with your yesterdays…get to a point of contentment that it all happened for a reason…and turn your thoughts to the only “now” you’re going to get.

If it hadn’t been for Williams’ role as Professor Keating in Dead Poets’ Society, I likely never would’ve purchased a collection of Walt Whitman’s writings. I’ve seen his poem “O Captain My Captain” quoted so often in the past 24 hours, it seems a bit much to include it here…but I will include the first two lines anyway:

O Captain my Captain! Our fearful trip is done
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won.

The question in my own mind, what prize is it I seek?
Make each day about that prize.
Seize every day, every moment in the name of that prize.
See nothing as failure – for in such failure lies nothing but success.
The first step may truly be the longest stride, but physics teaches us that an object in motion stays in motion…so – define your prize and get in motion.

A final note about yesterday’s tragic end to a beloved husband, father, actor, and comedian…and this is purely my opinion, as is everything I write: If Robin Williams’ death finally brings the necessary attention to depression and all its subtle ways of permeating one’s soul…and if that causes action on the part of millions worldwide to do something about it…well, in this man’s humble opinion, it will have been his greatest role yet.

Wishing peace to all of you…the peace that passes all understanding.

Tim

 

Lyrics to Nickelback’s “If Today Was Your Last Day”

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’re never living twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

What if, what if, if today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
‘Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love
If today was your last day?

 

 

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