THE ROAD CALLED "LATER" LEADS TO A PLACE CALLED "NEVER"

The text below is taken from Facebook page "Interesting World".

There was no author named but his/her perspective resonates with me...

Note:

The "later" spoken about this post is NOT so much about procrastinating in getting a job or a chore done.  This post is about us allowing the joy of life slip away with "laters" which leads us to "never".  It is warning about going thru life's journey painfully, and letting the rat race win.  It is about realising the need to savour the present - not putting off kindness, tenderness and care, and loving with our whole heart.  Now, not later.

Remember the story about the old lady who was given a box of ripe pears? 

Every day, she ate the one that was starting to spoil, saving the best for tomorrow. But each day, the next pear would start to rot. By the end, she never tasted a single good pear.  A simple, honest, and painfully true story.

Yesterday, I chatted with my neighbor at the summer house. 

She looked down, so I asked her what was wrong. She sighed and said with a sad smile, “I blinked, and my life has gone by. I kept thinking, ‘When I make some money, when the house is built, when the kids grow up—then I’ll start living for myself. I’ll get a trendy haircut, finally wear dresses instead of pants. But pants are just so convenient…’”

She fell silent. I didn’t rush her.

“The kids grew up. The house is built. There’s money in the bank. But… I’m still in jeans, with the same old ponytail. And honestly, I’m just tired. Real life didn’t match my dreams. I was too busy running, I didn’t notice how I got older. The rat race won.”

Her words stuck with me all night. The rat race won…

She ran out of “later.” She ran out of herself.  Sadly, she’s not alone. Millions of people live like this.
 

I once read a phrase that haunts me:  "The road called ‘later’ leads to a place called ‘never."

Live here and now.

Make conscious choices.

Act! There won’t be a second life in this body.

Eat and drink from beautiful dishes.

For me, it’s books, scarves, and good china - believe me, it’s wonderful.

Enjoy the fresh goose while it’s hot - don’t put it in the freezer.

Bite into a juicy apple—don’t wait until it loses its flavor.

Put on that stylish dress, slip into your favorite shoes, and walk to the supermarket like you own the world.

Drink your favorite coffee and let your taste buds rejoice.

Read books, travel, have fun.

If you feel like being silly—do it!

Finally bake that pie you keep postponing.

Most importantly—don’t put off kindness, tenderness, care.

Love with your whole heart!

Hug and kiss your loved ones. 

Give compliments freely. 

Be generous with warmth.

All these will make us a truly happy person.

And a happy person is capable of anything!