Just Stop YOLO-ing, Will You?

Just Stop YOLO-ing, Will You?

This ISN'T about YOLO-ing our way into bankruptcy OR questionable life choices.  This is about being present and intentional with one's time.  As the famous legend John Lennon was well quoted, 'LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHILE YOU'RE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS'.  BUT hey, have we ever thought that this simple quote could totally change the way we view life. Just Stop YOLO-ing, will you?  This may sound quite morbid to say that someday we're going to stop existing BUT this world is going to keep on spinning without you, without us.  NOW, before we spiral into an existential crisis, this apparently very dark realization may in fact be the key to really unlocking another level of living📗📙📘

Let's picture out this NOT so improbable scenario WHERE we're cruising through life, following the 'supposed to be' flight plan.  That typical stereo-typed plan WHERE we graduate, get a stable job, meet a girl, get married, buy OR build your home, buy your first car [even it's a second-hand car for the first time], have kids, raise them, then retire with a gold watch.  Sounds familiar???

NOW, for the kicker.  WHETHER or NOT you're checking off those society-sanctioned boxes, life is still going on around you, and you're probably missing the good stuff, seriously.  NOW, we're NOT implying that you should ditch all responsibility and become a nomadic yak herder up there in the Tibetan mountains [UNLESS that's your style, in which case, go on].  BUT WHAT if you lived life every single day that counted?  And every single moment was a chance to make sometime matter, to connect with others, OR to just simply appreciate the goofiness that life is💧💧💧

Let me share this personal experience.  Years ago WHEN admittedly, I was your quintessential overachiever, with an extremely packed schedule that was set out enough stress to power a small city like Singapore, I was literally running from one F2F meeting to anoter, [way before that Covid-19 pandemic, virtual calls even via Cisco WeBex & Zoom was a rarity].  One morning, I crossed a small park and saw an old man feeding pigeons😀😀😀

BUT instead of getting annoyed, that made me pause WHEN the old man asked me, "ISN'T IT A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO BE ALIVE?"  And the cooing of pigeons with rustling leaves did stoke that quite epiphany, no pigeons harmed, metaphorically.  I then realized I was running to reach my targets and had completely forgotten to LIVE IN THE MOMENT.  I had forgotten to be able to enjoy the small pleasures of life, like the warmth of sunlight on my face.  Admittedly, that day CHANGED me and I realized I just needed to STOP YOLO-ing❗❗❗