Over the holiday, I had the opportunity to watch Pixar’s Soul on Disney Plus. Although I have a few questions about decisions made for characters in the movie, I did truly love it. At its very core, the story was about appreciating our time on earth and realizing that we all have many purposes while we are here. The main character was a music teacher who had always dreamed of making it big in a jazz band. The thing that I kept focusing on was that he had purpose as an educator. His students, whether he recognized it or not, were inspired and engaged because he shared, with them, his passion for music.
1. Make Use of Time
Now the theme of appreciating our time on earth and making the most out of life is nothing new. In fact, one of my favorite films that encourages young people to find their passion and live life to the fullest is Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams. One of the best scenes is when he takes his class out into the hall, and he gathers them in front of the glass display with photos of past students and accolades. He has them read out loud the poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick.
I am moved by this scene because it hints at the essence of life. We have generations that live before us and the current generations before us. All of whom create memories and live their life with the time they are given.
“Then be not coy, but use your time, /”
2. Get Caught Up in the Wonders and Joys of Life
If anything, when the pandemic hit, I was struck with the sensation that I needed to write down things I could do—no matter how long the quarantine would last. I was freaking out about this news that we were going to be on lockdown. Little did I know, when I made the big, to-do list that we would still be in it.
I am trying to gain perspective on what the year 2020 really meant to me and although a lot of it has been challenging and even horrid, I am able to find that I continue to live a life here on earth and may have even found new purposes and new passions in my life. I have recognized what was always in front of me. Like our friend Joe Gardner, from Soul, I must take in the moments and get in a zone. Time is going to continue whether we are limited with our physical distancing or not. Why not seize the day and find something beautiful or purposeful in it?
For Joe Gardner, I would say he is in the zone (caught up in the wonders and joys of life) while playing the piano and teaching his students. When would you say you are in the zone?
“Old Time is still a-flying/”
3. Find Joy and Celebrate the Little Things
To give you an example of something that I have just now realized happened during 2020, let me share with you how many steps I made during a pandemic. Over the last year, I managed to travel 692 miles just by stepping outside and going for a walk or run. That is 1,523,916 steps in 2020. I could have hopped in my car and drove from Atlanta to Walt Disney World with less miles.
“Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, /”
4. Keep Living
Even when things seem bleak or limited, we can still smell the roses of this life. After all, it is the only one we have got. I say, we should find things to look forward to as things will become easier. But for now, keep living and feel your spare time doing what you love and have passion for because each day is still a day in your life.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”
By Robert Herrick
Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.