Why Wait?

We all have something we save for “one day” or “someday.”

You know… the good bottle of wine, the good china set, the nice bottle of perfume.

You know what I am talking about.

Why do we save it?

Why is today not worthy of using the nice glasses?

Why is today not worthy of lighting the scented candle?

Somewhere along the way, we started believing that joy is something we have to earn.

We tell ourselves we’ll use the good china when guests come over.

We’ll open the expensive bottle of wine when there’s something big to celebrate.

We’ll wear the beautiful dress when we lose a few kilograms.

We’ll book the holiday when work calms down.

We’ll buy the flowers next month.

We’ll start living… later.

But have you ever noticed how “later” keeps moving?

One celebration turns into the next.

One busy season becomes a busy year.

A busy year becomes a busy decade.

One goal is quickly replaced by another.

The goal line keeps moving.

Before we know it, years have passed. The bottle of wine is still gathering dust, the perfume is slowly turning a funny colour in its bottle, and the beautiful china is tucked safely away, waiting for a day that never seems to arrive.

What if we’ve got it backwards?

What if the beautiful things in our lives weren’t meant to be rewards for reaching the finish line?

What if they were meant to make the journey a little more beautiful?

Maybe the good china wasn’t made to spend its life in a cupboard.

Maybe the scented candle wasn’t created to wait for the “perfect” evening.

Maybe the bottle of wine has been patient long enough.

Perhaps tonight’s dinner deserves the beautiful plate and the gorgeous dress.

Perhaps Tuesday deserves the nice perfume and that beautiful blazer you’ve been keeping for special occasions.

Perhaps making it through a difficult week is reason enough to pour a glass of wine, light the candle, and slow down for a little while.

Life isn’t made up of milestone moments.

It’s made up of ordinary mornings, everyday dinners, quiet evenings, conversations around the table, walks with the dog, and cups of coffee that somehow taste better when we’re fully present.

Those ordinary moments aren’t what happens in between life.

They are life.

This Women’s Day, I don’t want to talk about being stronger, working harder, or achieving more.

Instead, I’d like to leave you with a different question.

What joy have you been postponing because you’ve convinced yourself you haven’t earned it yet?

Today, I’m going to use the good plates.

I’m going to light the scented candle I’ve been saving for who-knows-what.

I’m going to open the good bottle of wine that’s been waiting for the “right” occasion.

Because perhaps the occasion isn’t something I’m waiting for.

Perhaps the occasion is simply today.

Today is worthy.

And so am I.