There’s a truth I’ve come to appreciate in my mid-forties—something I wasn’t fully prepared for: the passage of time brings with it unexpected losses. Last year, I lost a few friends—people I had been close to, shared memories with, and watched as they built lives full of hopes and dreams. Some were younger than me. Their sudden absence has been a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the profound gift that each day truly is.
That might seem like a somber way to start a blog post, but it’s not my intention to dwell on sadness. As we step into a new year—funny how January 1st feels like a reset button—it feels like the perfect moment for some self-reflection. A time to honour the past, remember those we’ve lost, and carry their memory forward into the years ahead with a renewed perspective.
For much of my life, I’ve been guilty of fixating on the future—stressing over my superannuation balance, fretting about staying career-relevant, and feeling the shadow of my father’s challenges when he left the Royal Navy. His hard-earned skills didn’t transition easily to civilian life, and the weight of that reality stayed with him. When he passed at 67, it was a stark reminder of how little time we’re guaranteed. Yet even then, I didn’t fully adjust my mindset. I kept chasing the future, thinking in terms of “when”: when the mortgage is paid off, when the career milestone is hit, when I finally feel secure enough to enjoy life.
But life doesn’t wait for “when.” It unfolds in the now.
This year, I’m making a conscious shift: focusing on the present. Not in a reckless, “live-like-there’s-no-tomorrow” kind of way—I still have ambitions in fitness, personal growth, and my career. But I want to live as I work toward those goals, refusing to defer joy and presence until some arbitrary milestone is reached.
Daniel Pink explores this idea of “temporal awareness” in his book When, a concept that struck a chord with me when I first read it (and blogged about it). Pink highlights how being intentional with our limited time can shape a more meaningful life. Similarly, Adam Grant often writes about the enduring value of relationships and shared experiences over material achievements. Their insights remind me it’s not about giving up on ambition; it’s about finding balance—pursuing goals while appreciating the beauty of the moment.
For me, this means savouring the simple, everyday joys. Catching a wave with my son after school. Kayaking at sunrise before work (note to self, do this more!) Walking with my wife during a lunch break. Laughing as my dogs playfully chase each other around the yard. Taking more trips—not just for the adventure, but for the memories they create. These moments aren’t distractions from life; they are life.
That is my New Year’s resolution. I resolve to embrace the present—fully and intentionally. To find joy in the ordinary moments that make life extraordinary. To be there for the people I love, appreciating the laughter, the connection, and the shared experiences.
I resolve to keep pursuing my goals, but without letting them overshadow the beauty of today. To savour the waves, the walks, the adventures, and the memories waiting to be made. To stop living for “someday” and start truly living this day.
Because life doesn’t wait. And neither will I.