Right Here, Right Now

The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., "Over the Teacups," 1891

Oliver had it right.  Nothing better than a hot, strong, aromatic cup of coffee in the morning.  Unless of course you add to that the blessing of my perspective.  That of an early morning Alaskan landscape resplendent with mother loon and baby, a calm lake, and the chance to share some thoughts with friends and family.  At this moment in time and space, it truly is incredible.  Which brings me to my next subject.  "Right Here, Right now!"

The actual quote is, "Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"  Part of a motivational speech from Buffalo Bills Head Coach, Marv Levy, during one of their four Super Bowl runs.  

Those of you who know football, know the Bills never won a Super Bowl.   And for those of you who don't know football, getting to the Super Bowl just one time is an amazing feat, let alone four times.

So regarding Marv's quote, a couple of things come to mind.  First, each of us from time to time needs to take stock of "where are we right now?"  When you were a child full of dreams, is this the place you thought you'd be?  Most of us can cross that off our list "right here and right now!"  Or perhaps this is where you planned to be in your "life plan?"  How about your "retirement plan?"  Man I didn't even know I was supposed to have a plan until it was too late! 

The next thing that comes to mind is opportunity.  The Buffalo Bills not only had a great opportunity to participate in the pinnacle game of their sport, but many of them had four chances.  Four chances to be champions.  Four chances to be the best.  And after all the hard work, all the time away from family and friends, all the injuries and pain, win or lose, before these men of the Buffalo Bills was one of sports greatest opportunities, to win the Super Bowl.  "Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"

Sounds great for great sport figures, but what about me?  What about "Joe-bag-o-donuts" regular guy Me?  How does that apply?  

Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day!    Who knows but for this time, this place, this purpose you were created.  Right here, right now.  Right where you are in this point in your life.  No matter what you may think of your life - great, mundane, or down right terrible, there are small opportunities that surround you every day which may actually be life or world changers.

Perhaps if you look just a little closer there is a difference maker.  It might be a smile here or there.  A word of thanks.  Forgiveness.  Reconciliation. An unexpected act of kindness.  And when all is said and done, and it feels like no one noticed that act of kindness.  It may actually become one of your greatest successes!  An unnoticed act of kindness.  No kudos or slap on the back.  No trophy to remind you of what you did at a particular point in life.  A simple act of kindness, acting like the ripple on a pond moving outward and affecting all it comes in contact. 

Years ago when I was a disc jockey, I used to end every shift with the phrase, "Put a smile on your face, a "Yes-sir" on your lips, and wherever you go don't walk, Dance!"  You see with a change of attitude here, a simple act of kindness there, before you know it the atmosphere is transformed for a life to be changed, for the world to change, or at least you might catch yourself dancing down the street instead of walking. 

So look closely and you will find some small opportunity to make a difference.  And then, "Where else would you rather be, than right here, right now?"

KB