The Things We Keep Putting Off

Well, we finally did it.

After years of talking about it, Kristen and I finally got around to remodeling our bathroom.

Years!

It's one of those projects we kept saying we'd tackle when things slowed down. There was always something else going on. Work, travel, family commitments, or simply not wanting to deal with the headache of a renovation.

And then there's the trip to Santa Fe we've been talking about taking with friends. We've mentioned it so many times I'm beginning to feel like we've already been there.

But we haven't.

I'm sure Kristen is chuckling as she reads this because she knows exactly what I'm going to say next.

"Sure, honey. When things slow down."

Sound familiar?

I find it funny that I can manage a demanding work schedule, travel across the country for speaking engagements, and somehow still find time for a round of golf. But getting a weekend on the calendar with friends? Apparently, that's where things get complicated.

There's always another trip, another project or something that needs our attention.

And before you know it, another year has passed.

The older I get, the more I realize that life isn't necessarily going to slow down. Our kids are growing up, our friends have busy lives of their own, and getting everyone together isn't quite as easy as it once was.

I think we sometimes take for granted that there will always be another opportunity.

Another summer. Another weekend. Another chance to get together.

But here's what our bathroom project reminded me.

Sometimes you just have to put something on the calendar and make it happen. The timing probably won't be perfect, and something else will inevitably come up.

And that's okay.

I'm certainly not suggesting we need to fill every available weekend with activities. In fact, a completely empty weekend sounds pretty fantastic to me right now.

But there are people I want to see, places I want to visit, and things I've been saying I'll get around to for far too long.

Maybe it's time to stop waiting for life to slow down.

Speaking of which, I should probably call our friends about Santa Fe.

Before Kristen reads this and holds me to it