We all drink water, right?

It’s a response rather than an experience. You are thirsty, so you drink water. Maybe from a water bottle, a large plastic cup, or perhaps, directly from the sink after brushing your teeth. 

It’s essential for survival and something we do out of necessity rather than for pleasure or entertainment. 

However, picture this: you're at home, sitting outside in your favorite chair, watching the sunset, gently sipping on some sparkling water. But instead of using a cup or can, you've decided to pour it into a beautiful whiskey glass with a 2-inch ice cube and garnish it with an orange peel. As the bubbles rise and the crystals catch the light, you can't help but feel a sense of delight. In that simple act of drinking sparkling water from an elegant glass, you find joy in the unremarkable. 

It sounds silly, I know. 

And you might be thinking ‘that’s dumb’ or ‘a waste of time.’

You might even be asking yourself, ‘who has the time to garnish a glass of water?’

But ask yourself, what is life, other than a collection of moments?

Some memorable, and some forgettable. 

Some that seem significant and other than seem insignificant. 

If I were to ask you what you did yesterday (on Sunday), you’d probably give me a glimpse of what you did or what you accomplished. 

Ex: “I walked to the farmer’s market..” “I talked to my mother on the phone…” “I watched an episode of Bear on Hulu…” “I baked a chicken in the oven and ate it…”

If I asked you what you did 3 weeks ago on a given Sunday, you might be able to think of one or two things, if it was very very eventful. 

However, if we go even further out, let's say 3 months, and I asked you the same questions, you likely wouldn’t remember doing anything.  

As we extrapolate this over time, even the most ‘significant’ aspects of our existence become irrelevant.  

If I ask you, what was your grandpa’s greatest accomplishment or failure - you may have an idea to share. 

But if I ask you, what was your great grandpa’s greatest accomplishment or failure - you likely have no idea. 

Therefore, we can all agree that as time goes on, nearly everything we do, or others do, becomes insignificant and unremarkable. Legacy is a fallacy and a senseless goal. 

This is not a pessimistic viewpoint of life, but rather a reminder that it is your responsibility to bring significance to the insignificant, to be extraordinary in the ordinary, and to embrace the remarkable in the unremarkable. 

Life is a collection of moments and memories — moments that may seem mundane, moments that you will likely forget, and moments that you will never get back. 

However, it's essential to recognize and capitalize on these moments as if they were your last, because newsflash - they are your last. 

In our work, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle, chasing achievements and milestones. But true satisfaction often lies in the small victories. It's in finding pleasure in the process, taking pride in a well-crafted email, or sharing an inside bit with a colleague. These seemingly ordinary moments hold the potential to infuse our work with meaning and joy. 

Relationships, too, thrive on cherishing the little things. It's in the laughter shared during a spontaneous game night, the heartfelt conversation over a home-cooked meal, or the warmth of a loved one. By valuing and nurturing these small gestures, we deepen our connections and create lasting memories.

When it comes to our health, taking pleasure in the little things can be transformative. It's in the joy of preparing a nourishing meal, the satisfaction of completing a challenging workout, or the tranquility of a peaceful moment. By embracing and celebrating these small moments, we foster a positive relationship with our well-being and enhance our overall quality of life.

And in a sport like Jiu Jitsu, the journey can be arduous and demanding. Yet, even in the face of physical and mental challenges, finding joy in the practice is crucial. It's in the satisfaction of executing a technique with precision, the camaraderie shared with training partners, and the growth that comes from pushing through difficult moments. By focusing on the joy of the journey, we not only enhance our performance but also deepen our love and commitment. 

Ultimately, life is a collection of moments, and without sounding too cliche or cheesy, every moment is special but ONLY if you make it special.   It’s not about drinking sparkling water out of a whiskey glass, it’s about making meaning out of a potential meaningless existence. 

Legacy fades. 

We all die. 

Understand this, and enjoy every moment of it.

Own The Process, 

Tim 

Author, Student, & Founder