Danny, this post was so touching. I am a huge believer in living in the moment. I can also be the worlds biggest hypocrite too.

I work my posterior off on my blog and building my business, but I always try to do my best to pull myself away when the kids are home and go and have fun with them instead. I preach about it all the time.

The other thing is, I've also blogged about time and seizing the moment and I think a lot of this was because my 2011 got off the a rough start. You see, I lost a friend this year who was battling cancer. for the last 6 weeks of his life, I put my business aside to spend one day per week with him. (usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

He seemed to be holding his own and many of us thought for sure he would beat it.

On January 4th, I was supposed to set up a date with him for our regular visit. I felt a little 'off' on that day, plus I had a few things that I deemed important, so I put our date off until Jan 6th. January 5th in the early hours he had Aneurysm (notice it wasn't related to his Cancer) and passed away.

While I do not regret putting my day aside per week, I do regret putting that one date off for a day THAT week. It is likely one thing I will never cease to regret.

You are so right about time. We all could use improvement on getting the most out of each moment and focusing on the ones we love.

(sorry, it seems I've written a post here)... but thanks for the reminder!

Jayne

A beautiful post Danny.
On Saturday, I leave for Dallas. Not because I wanted to spend half of March in Texas, but because my 93 year old Nana is there and I still take whatever chances I can to see her and to make sure my daughter sees her.
I'm horrible about the phone. I'm worse about writing. But when the decision comes down to "paying for conference X that I've been to twice before" and "spending that time & money with my Nana, my extended family, and with my own husband and daughter"? It's not really a decision that takes much thinking.
I'm so sorry that you didn't get to see your Nana during the last part of her life - but I'm sorry because it's clear you loved her and it is always horrible to lose someone we love, whether or not we have closure ourselves.
Time is precious - it's the checkbook we draw from without really knowing when it will come up "insufficient funds" and I always look at each thing and think "if this were the last thing I got to do in this life, would I do it?" If the answer is no, then it goes on the 'sorry, can't' pile.

Hi Danny,

It's ironic that we realize the value of something/someone when we lose them. One of my most favorite thought was that an excerpt from Gordon B. Hinckley's talk:

""Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. NEVER let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

Until now I regret the time when I didn't made my dad feel how grateful I am to him and that I love him so much. I had so much opportunities yet I failed to do so. However, the mistakes of yesterday may not be undone but we could rectify them by starting anew. I promised in his funeral that I will make it up to him through my mom. So each day I remember that promise and strive each day to show my gratitude for both parents through my mom.

Ive been living out of the United States away from my family off and on for the last few years, and you are definitely right, there really is no substitute to physical presence when it comes to family and close ones. Though I am still young and do not have a wife or children of my own that I live away from, I am away from my immediate family who I am very very close with.

Through use of Skype, Facebook, and other social media mediums, I am able to maintain that strong relationship, but at times its not the same. Last year there was an argument between two of my family members that I could have absolutely solved by being there in person, but as it was, they didnt talk for nearly half a year. Great post danny, really makes me think if I want to continue to be an expat for too much longer.

The power to forgive may be the most potent that we wield. I do not encourage spinelessness. Some arguments, when you are in the right, are meant to be one, but I have learned to forgive, forget, and move on -- and I am amazed how much better I feel when forgiving versus 'winning' an argument or making the other person gravel for forgiveness.

The scope of our focus and supply of our energy is quite finite. Don't expend either resource on a tightly held grudge; you may not have room for that 'great' something when it comes.

Thanks for the post, Danny. I hear your lesson and will do my best to heed your advice.

Hi Danny. A very timely reminder and kick in the arse for us all (well for me at any rate). My Grandmother is not well and I've not been in touch with her or my Grandfather for far too long. No excuses. Priorities are just all wrong sometimes. I'm going to get in touch with them today. Thanks for the nudge.

It's a sad situation with your grandmother's passing but, it's good that you and your parents are talking again.

I used to not take time as seriously but now I see it as essential to live every moment...used to think that was just a cliche.

Thanks for the great post.

Danny,

So timely for me to read this today. I am in the process of expanding my work as a Domestic Adoption Coach and at the same time I want to be mindful how that business building time effects my time with my own family.

In the end, my husband and daughter will always mean more to me than any business accolades, articles I am in or how much money I have in the bank.

I am with you on the stubbornness thing (ask my husband) but I am finally learning at 51, that if I win an argument with someone and the other person loses, what really have I won.

Thanks for sharing your personal side.

Kelli

Hello everyone.
After reading all the comments below I'm noticing that everyone is agree to say that we cannot control time.

At every step of our living, sometimes we encounter bad experiences, sometimes good experiences.
During the bad experiences, time seems to be our competitor.
During the good experiences, time seems to be our ally so we don't even look at it.
But you can make time a big opportunity whatever you're experiencing.

As Danny said "Time is precious. We need to remember to treat it as such."
in the past few years I've followed some advice to deepen this thought:
- you can control your emotions
- you can control your thinking
- you can control your mind
By taking control of what makes us human, we can make our time precious, this will help us reach a better living.

Thank you so much Danny to shorten in a few beautiful statements one of our biggest mistake we are making all the time without even thinking of it.

Forgive all of those people who've done you wrong.

You'll be giving something to someone who doesn't deserve it, and there's wisdom to be gained from forgiving debts.

You'll also gain your freedom. Resentments and grudges are like thousand pound weights holding you back and robbing you of many good things.

It's impossible to grow when poison is having its way with your soul.

Short and Sweet post Danny :)

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Thank you for the reminder and for the reflection. You really touched on a sweet, tender spot here and I am very grateful. As I view things, I'm pretty sure your grandmother is looking down on you now and swelling with pride. xoxo Erica

Wow Danny, I can relate to this. I kind of had an idea of what you were going to say as I read Ingrid's post earlier today. But, I can relate to this.

Actually, there was one line here that really got to me - "We never know when we kiss our partners goodbye in the morning if we’ll see them in the evening."

This is something that scares me nearly every day. Several really significant people in my life who have passed, including my father. That was really, really hard.

But even the thought of my wife getting into some kind of accident is almost too much for my mind to handle.

This is a really great reminder. I am going to finish up one or two more things an spend the afternoon with my wife.

Have a great day!

Danny, thank you for this post.

This reminder is more than overdue. Time is something we abuse on a daily basis, with little consequences.
Your story really rings home because sometimes the consequences are huge.

Danny,

Your post made me cry this morning! My youngest son is home for a visit to get his "affairs" in order before yet another deployment overseas.
I've been hugging and kissing him all week long! I've had both my sons deployed at the same time and that was very tough. As a military family, I think we really take the words "precious time" very seriously!
Life is just too short and every minute counts.
Thanks for you're touching post, Danny, a great reminder for us all!

So true Danny - So true!

Time is our most valuable commodity, yet how many times you you hear people say they are "just killing time!"

Thanks for the reminder sir.

I am a lucky, lucky person. I learned it the hard way, but at a young age.

I have one small regret, and it was the mistake of a child. I was earning a couple bucks for making paper flowers for a display my dad was building, and didn't go downstairs to kiss my grandpa goodbye. It was the last time I'd have a chance.

Sick as I felt about it, so bereft and guilty, I am still glad I learned it at 16. It has stood me in good stead for every relationship and loss in my life.

Great post, Danny.

Danny, I hope people listen to this and take it to heart. I learned it the hard way when my Dad died just after my 30th birthday - and just after is 50th, so 27 years ago. I keep hoping I 'did' it well then and that I've learned to do it better in the years that have followed.

We only get one shot at this so let's make sure we make the most of it. I hated knowing that we were losing my Dad but was grateful for time to say thanks, I love you and goodbye. Since then I've always tried to make sure that if something sudden happened I'd feel people close to me didn't know how I felt.

I hope it was 'just' nostalgia that prompted this post - sorry you missed saying goodbye to your grandmother. If it is something new, thoughts and prayers.

Great reminder! Thanks.

Danny,

This post is just so powerful and something I constantly (even obsessively) think about. I much too often wonder how I got here so fast and how time passed me without realizing.

The thing is though - is that we often take the people close to us for granted. We assume they'll always be there because WE and everyone we love or care about are invincible. And the rude awakening is that we're NOT! We might be in denial but that's it.

In my opinion there are 2 things that money can't buy - time and health. And if you think about it - they are the two most important things in life after those we love - and directly related of course.

I'm sorry that you didn't get the chance to say goodbye to your grandmother. It must not be easy at all. My grandmother is like a second mom to me so I know how important one can be.

I never got the chance to say goodbye to someone I dearly loved as well. Not because I was pig-headed - I have no shame when it comes to putting my pride aside and taking the first step. Heck, I'll do it every time if it means a reconciliation. But because his time had ended.

Since that day, I try my best not take those around me for granted. I truly make the effort and even though I fail at times with those that matter the most, I remind myself of how precious time is and how little of it there really is.

Thank you for reminding us DB.

It's sad how this happens - just when you least expect it. I can remember feeling this way about my father-in-law when he passed away. I had so many opportunities to talk to him, yet wasted each and everyone until it was too late.
This is an extremely insightful reminder.

Couldn't agree more Danny.

I suspect I restrict my worldly success because I rarely sacrifice family time for business matters. I am no good to my kids if I am just a voice on the phone or a digital version on Skype. Try as the world may say that these are good 'substitutes' they are telling lies. They are not good substitutes at all. In fact, they are lame excuses to make people feel better when they know they should be doing something else. Something more significant than just chase success.

Today more than ever in history we have tools to allow us to say "Well, it's the next best thing to being there" and that may be true but it also incredibly weak. There is no substitute for a hug or something that can't be replicated in any cool tech way.

Thanks for the reminder, Danny.

Danny, this post was so touching. I am a huge believer in living in the moment. I can also be the worlds biggest hypocrite too.

I work my posterior off on my blog and building my business, but I always try to do my best to pull myself away when the kids are home and go and have fun with them instead. I preach about it all the time.

The other thing is, I've also blogged about time and seizing the moment and I think a lot of this was because my 2011 got off the a rough start. You see, I lost a friend this year who was battling cancer. for the last 6 weeks of his life, I put my business aside to spend one day per week with him. (usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

He seemed to be holding his own and many of us thought for sure he would beat it.

On January 4th, I was supposed to set up a date with him for our regular visit. I felt a little 'off' on that day, plus I had a few things that I deemed important, so I put our date off until Jan 6th. January 5th in the early hours he had Aneurysm (notice it wasn't related to his Cancer) and passed away.

While I do not regret putting my day aside per week, I do regret putting that one date off for a day THAT week. It is likely one thing I will never cease to regret.

You are so right about time. We all could use improvement on getting the most out of each moment and focusing on the ones we love.

(sorry, it seems I've written a post here)... but thanks for the reminder!

Jayne

Hi Danny
You are so right. Sometimes we don't realize what we have until we lose it. That can be hard to find out.

Wonderful insight Dan! With our world becoming almost totally “virtual” nowadays, we cannot help but take for granted the things that exist in real life such as our family and friends. It’s sad that people realize this when it’s too late already. Sometimes, we really needed to experience it in order for us to learn. Sad but true.

Very good post Danny. As always. Sorry 'bout that Danny. Time is really precious. You can't let the time to go backward. :) That is the reason why I really hate having too much pride. I can't easily forgive those people who ask forgiveness on what they've done. That's why I'm always asking for God to give me too much patience and less pride. :) Thanks for this touching article Danny.

A beautiful post Danny.
On Saturday, I leave for Dallas. Not because I wanted to spend half of March in Texas, but because my 93 year old Nana is there and I still take whatever chances I can to see her and to make sure my daughter sees her.
I'm horrible about the phone. I'm worse about writing. But when the decision comes down to "paying for conference X that I've been to twice before" and "spending that time & money with my Nana, my extended family, and with my own husband and daughter"? It's not really a decision that takes much thinking.
I'm so sorry that you didn't get to see your Nana during the last part of her life - but I'm sorry because it's clear you loved her and it is always horrible to lose someone we love, whether or not we have closure ourselves.
Time is precious - it's the checkbook we draw from without really knowing when it will come up "insufficient funds" and I always look at each thing and think "if this were the last thing I got to do in this life, would I do it?" If the answer is no, then it goes on the 'sorry, can't' pile.

After reading up on all the social media, marketing and blogging stuff, coming upon your post is very refreshing, Danny. You touched a lot of people's hearts with it. And I am glad that you brought this up so that a lot of people will realise that there is more to life than spending time online or on your business. Friends and family matter and spending time with them evens out life best.

Hi Danny,

It's ironic that we realize the value of something/someone when we lose them. One of my most favorite thought was that an excerpt from Gordon B. Hinckley's talk:

""Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. NEVER let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

Until now I regret the time when I didn't made my dad feel how grateful I am to him and that I love him so much. I had so much opportunities yet I failed to do so. However, the mistakes of yesterday may not be undone but we could rectify them by starting anew. I promised in his funeral that I will make it up to him through my mom. So each day I remember that promise and strive each day to show my gratitude for both parents through my mom.

A reminder to us all Danny. I appreciate your honesty about this issue it takes a very open person to discuss such things. All the best to you and your family :)

Wow, Danny. This post moved my heart to the soul. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Losing someone that you love can be a tough thing to face. You have my support with you and your family.

Time shouldn't be taken advantage of. After all, you only live once. It's who you choose to spend your time with and the memories you create that matter the most.

Thank you for sharing a little piece of your life.

Best of luck in everything that you do,

Christina

Ive been living out of the United States away from my family off and on for the last few years, and you are definitely right, there really is no substitute to physical presence when it comes to family and close ones. Though I am still young and do not have a wife or children of my own that I live away from, I am away from my immediate family who I am very very close with.

Through use of Skype, Facebook, and other social media mediums, I am able to maintain that strong relationship, but at times its not the same. Last year there was an argument between two of my family members that I could have absolutely solved by being there in person, but as it was, they didnt talk for nearly half a year. Great post danny, really makes me think if I want to continue to be an expat for too much longer.

The power to forgive may be the most potent that we wield. I do not encourage spinelessness. Some arguments, when you are in the right, are meant to be one, but I have learned to forgive, forget, and move on -- and I am amazed how much better I feel when forgiving versus 'winning' an argument or making the other person gravel for forgiveness.

The scope of our focus and supply of our energy is quite finite. Don't expend either resource on a tightly held grudge; you may not have room for that 'great' something when it comes.

Thanks for the post, Danny. I hear your lesson and will do my best to heed your advice.

Danny, you got a lot of people thinking (and weeping) with this post. I'm sorry for your lost time. :-( It is a hard lesson.

For some reason, I'm not sure why, I've always been super aware when I say goodbye to someone that it may be the last time I see tehm, and this includes when my husband leaves for work or when my kids would leave for school. As I watch them drive away, I always wrap a prayer around them. We're generous with hugs on homecomings too and telling one another we love each other. I never wondered why I was so hyper aware of this (thanks Danny! NOW I'm wondering LOL)

Only you could put out such a post (you and possibly Griddy!) - good thing too, because people are listening to you!
Take care,
Lori

Very odd, Danny. I sat down over the weekend with these very thoughts on my mind, but I couldn't seem to get the post the way I wanted. It must be a floating thought in the ether.

((hugs))

Hi Danny. A very timely reminder and kick in the arse for us all (well for me at any rate). My Grandmother is not well and I've not been in touch with her or my Grandfather for far too long. No excuses. Priorities are just all wrong sometimes. I'm going to get in touch with them today. Thanks for the nudge.

It's a sad situation with your grandmother's passing but, it's good that you and your parents are talking again.

I used to not take time as seriously but now I see it as essential to live every moment...used to think that was just a cliche.

Thanks for the great post.

Danny,

So timely for me to read this today. I am in the process of expanding my work as a Domestic Adoption Coach and at the same time I want to be mindful how that business building time effects my time with my own family.

In the end, my husband and daughter will always mean more to me than any business accolades, articles I am in or how much money I have in the bank.

I am with you on the stubbornness thing (ask my husband) but I am finally learning at 51, that if I win an argument with someone and the other person loses, what really have I won.

Thanks for sharing your personal side.

Kelli

Great post Danny and loved the many comments. I have been estranged from my surviving Grandmother over 10 years now. But she earned it and after a few years kicking myself about it came to peace with the decision. Now she is 98 or 99 and kharma is paying her back with a pretty horrible end of life. (She is mean, evil, bigoted, selfish, controlling, and all about her...well she was when she still had all her faculties)

But my Dad can't give up on her. He calls her every day. Stockholm Syndrome I think. He was really mentally abused by her his whole life. But Dad is 70 about to turn 71. And he is freaking on his own mortality as well as not knowing when the next time will be the last that he sees her.

I myself am back east after 17 years in LA and rarely seeing my family. Part of the reason is in your post. Time is fleeting and one of the few things we can not get back. Cheers!

BTW if you ever write a post that I feel it would be poor manners to add a dose of humor you and I are done!