Years ago, my friend shared with me that she and her boyfriend were gifted vintage Dom Perignon Champagne bottles. They stored the bottles in their cellar waiting for a pop-worthy, celebratory moment. Unfortunately, while they were responsibly biding their time, someone broke into their cellar and stole the Champagne bottles. When she told me, I was devastated for her – to think that someone else was sipping their priceless bubbles! We commiserated, and then she shrugged and said, “I guess that’s why you don’t wait to drink the good stuff.”
Over the years, my thoughts have traveled back to that moment and conversation. We all know that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and I’ve realized that I don’t want to continually wait for the “perfect” celebration or the “most acceptable” date or time. Celebrating shouldn’t always be rational or overly orchestrated. I don’t want to die with exquisite jewelry that has hardly been worn, collector’s items that have never been unboxed, or classic cars that have never been driven. I don’t want to have cases of delicious wine collecting dust or designer purses that have never left their boxes. I don’t want to only reserve a nice restaurant for an anniversary or check items off an imaginary, bottomless to-do list before booking a dream trip.
Life is for living. Maybe it’s a bit hedonistic, but I do believe that we should all try to enjoy our lives, and this doesn’t solely apply to material items. Time is a commodity too, and I think we should worry less about losing it and more about using it. Eat your lunch outside, walk with a friend, or make that recipe you’ve been wanting to try. Assign faces and characters to clouds, pick fruit from the garden, or take the long way home. Listen to live music, head to an impromptu happy hour, or shop the sale clothing rack outside a local boutique. Instead of living to plan your life, plan to live. “Today” can be just as wonderful as “tomorrow,” and no matter what we all think, we never really know what the future has in store for us.
I remember years ago when I purchased a beautiful pair of designer shoes. I was packing for a trip and I told Patrick that I didn’t think that I should pack them. What if they got scuffed? What if people thought I was too flashy? What if my luggage got lost? I looked at the shoes perched perfectly on my closet shelf. Like delicate eggs in a bird’s nest, maybe I shouldn’t disturb them from their safe spot? Patrick scoffed and said, “What’s the use of having items you love if you never even take them out of your closet? If you want to wear them, you should.” He was right, and I packed them, and I had zero regrets about wearing them. Does that mean they remained in pristine condition? Hell no. (Cobblestones 1, Heels 0). Even so, at least they didn’t remain hidden away for only my eyes to see (and my feet never to wear).
Don’t wait to wear the elegant dress, explore a new destination, or try out that tapas spot. Don’t delay seeing that new musical, burning the luxury candles, or setting the table with the good china and glassware. Instead of contemplating, “Why now?” focus on, “Why not?” And, please, by all means, if someone gifts you expensive Champagne, drink it immediately (and call me). Don’t wait to partake in the good stuff. There’s too much to celebrate in the here and now. There’s something new and ordinary to delight in every day. Relish your life unapologetically. Drink life in like you would that fancy Champagne, and don’t stop until you savor every last drop.
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Photo by Marra Creative Studio. Outfit from Dylan Star Boutique.
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