"Where's the fire?"

I wrote this as a contemplation for class in August 2016.

My sister sent me a message this weekend. She told me to listen to this song - Vienna by Billy Joel. The song is about reflecting on one's life. So many people are so busy and so ambitious, working for something that may come later in life, and end up missing out on the right-now part of life.

This is something I need a constant reminder of. I've been spending so much time doing so much that I haven't been enjoying the right now. It's been causing a great deal of stress, so much that I've felt burnt out and it was only my back injury that forced me to step back. Now, my back is starting to feel better, but I don't want to lose this idea of living right now. In fact, last week I took Wednesday-Friday off to go camping on Orcas Island. I've always wanted to spend time on Orcas, and found an opportunity to. At first, I wasn't going to go, because I was nervous about missing work. But then I thought more about it, and realized the summer is coming to an end and did I really want to wait another 10-11 months before I'd get the chance again? I went and it was amazing. Work was still there when I got back today and I focused to make sure I caught up appropriately, without feeling like I'd need to work a bunch of extra hours to make up for the vacation days.

The song reminds me of this experience. My favorite line is where he says, "where's the fire, what's the hurry about?" I like that way of putting things. While yes, we all have obligations, asking yourself "where's the fire?" is a good scale to see if there's an opportunity to enjoy life right now. Does that email need to be send right now? Or can you take a few minutes to enjoy lunch outside? Can the dishes wait while you enjoy a walk around the park with a friend or loved one?

There are opportunities all around us, everyday to enjoy the right now. So I ask you, "Where's the fire? What's the hurry about?"