The sun sets on another day…
As the sun is setting it sets hopes and dreams for many. They dream of tomorrow or watch the day pass, done with another.
In the story by O Henry a woman waits to die based on leaves on a wall, a man paints a perfect picture of a leaf so it will never fall, but dies in the process. (Fast overview, but hey, you should read it here)
There are two thoughts here. First, what is it that drives you to make press each day. A talisman, a hope for tomorrow? Something else? Second: Could you give your life to create something great for someone you barely know.
I like O Henry because his works usually make you think. In our first example, we really should consider each day what drives us to the positive. You know it could be someone, or something, but we should try to understand so we can be more effective with it. I know a lot of people that don’t have anything concrete for why they press on each day, they just do. I would like to think there is a magic formula, but the reality is we choose every day to pick some reason to go on. Is it for work? For home? For a friend? Or is it an abstract like finishing a book, a poem, or painting the perfect picture. I like to make my goal to have 1 more great day, and in spite of it all, I seem to always find one more great day, and even a few stupendous ones!
As far as our second item, many people would laugh at it. Would they press to the end of their ideas to achieve a goal that could be considered perfect. There are lots of possibilities here, but the truth is, we don’t know most of the time. People in the service will give their lives for others without question, but most people just are not wired that way. Consider who you are and if you are willing to “march into hell for a heavenly cause”.
So as the sun sets on another day, read the story and consider who you are, there are other characters, but I described the two pivotal ones. See how you would be, how you would decide, and then find a way to make a goal for your life that keeps you going each day. “Paint your leaf” and don’t ever let it fade, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, watch your leaf, and live every day like there is no other…