Moments in time. Remember that first date, first kiss. The birth of your children, graduations, their wedding days. The birth of my grandkids. Maybe that argument with your spouse when all the wrong words came out. Our lives are made up of these memories. When they go right, they’re perfect. When they don’t, wouldn’t it be nice to go back?

I had just left the local Walgreens, licorice whips in my hand, and was walking home after accomplishing my list of “to do’s”. The licorice was my self purchased reward for accomplishing those tasks and will play a part in this story. As I walked through the intersection, I heard my name shouted out from one of the vehicles waiting at the stoplight. As I turned toward the street I spotted a driver trying to hail my attention and realized it was a friend I hadn’t seen in awhile. Pete shouted out to me “I hope a piece of that licorice is for me.” Caught of guard, I awkwardly replied “no” and then just stood there. The light turned green and his truck and my friend moved on.

On the remainder of my walk home I continued to dwell on that moment and how I wished it had played out differently. If I had it back, it would have gone something like this. Pete spots me and yells out. I turn and spot him and excitedly wave back, jump off the curb, dart between the vehicles, and hand him my licorice, possibly the entire bag. I let him know we need to get together to catchup and then weave my way back to the curb. Such a better scenario. But it wasn’t ever going to happen that way because that moment had passed. I was still standing there, seemingly dumbstruck, licorice still selfishly tight fisted in my hand, as Pete pulls away.

How often has something like this happened to you? If you are like me, you probably fantasize about having the ability to go back in time and replay the moment, making sure that you get it right this time, making sure you say just the right words. I watched a movie where the main character had the ability to do just that. I actually watched it multiple times because the premise was so tantalizing. Every time he missed a moment or got it wrong, he would go back in time until he got it perfect. If only, but unfortunately the real world doesn’t work that way. Once a moment has passed it is part of history and will forever be viewed exactly and only the way it happened. Sure, we can always try to correct the results by explaining what we had meant to do or say in that moment. I could contact Pete and apologize for my awkward behavior that morning, but it wouldn’t be the same. My only hope is that history won’t repeat itself and next time an opportunity comes along, I will get it right.

How do we get it right the next time? I am recalling several adages I have heard along the way. “Think before you act”, “think before you open your mouth”, “take a deep breath” all come to mind. I suspect the authors of each of those were speaking from experience. They must have experienced at least one moment they wished to replay and being the wiser for it, thought to warn the rest of us.

Every day is a collection of moments. We have the opportunity to make them memorable or forgettable. If we simply stumble through our day never taking the time to think before we act or speak, those moments will likely be forgettable. If, on the other hand, we approach our day with a conscious effort to make them memorable, we will succeed more often than not. We just maybe can get them right.

As humans, we are not perfect, not even close. We will invariably get it wrong almost as often as we get it right, but we can at least try to improve our scores. When I get up in the morning, along with all my inane tasks and habits, some good, some not so good, I want to think about the moments that might come that day and make a commitment to do the best I can within them. I want to give myself the chance to get them right, to make them memorable.

I have recently, by my youngest daughter, been graced with a new granddaughter to shower with hugs and kisses. I look forward to the moments she will add to my life and I do not want to miss a single one. She is in part the inspiration for this piece today and definitely a powerful reminder to always be present in those moments I get to share with her. Life’s moments are granted to us but once. Authors and movie directors hold the power to rewrite a scene, but we don’t. What we do and how we behave in the moment is etched in history the instant the moment passes. Watch for your moments, be present in them, and then try to get them right because you’ll only get one chance. No mulligans, no replays, no do overs. Be prepared, those moments are coming. And now that you’ve been warned, the pressure is on. Will you be the star of the moment or just another extra?