Earl Nightingale began his "two lives" in the month of March. He was born to his earthly life in March, and was born to eternal life in March, as well. Each year since his passing I have endeavored to present something of Earl’s works to his followers in the month of March. This year, I just want to share some of the great lessons I learned from him that have enhanced my life and, my journey without him, in hopes that you, too, will find something of value which will enhance your life.

When I first met Earl, I was attending a sales meeting in Punta Gorda, Florida. I had a copy of a book that had been published many years earlier, which contained some of his radio program scripts. When I handed the book to him for his autograph, he hesitated, smiled, and asked if I was married. I responded, "No, just make it out to Diana." He continued to smile and asked, "Do you want to be?"

The details of the rest of the story are in my book, "Learning To Fly As A Nightingale", but that's not what I want to talk share with you right now, it's the perspective Earl had about life that's important.  You see,  Earl contended that I "was the one" he had been looking for all of his life and claimed to recognize me when we met, while I, on the other hand, was operating from a more practical level and was sure that he, or any one else required the "details" of my life’s history before making that kind of claim.  He was dealing with the "who", and I was dealing with the "what and where".

As the months passed, Earl continued to ask if I would marry him, and finally I felt that I needed to tell him my life’s story before giving him an answer. He looked weary at the idea of sitting through my forty year commentary, and poured himself a drink. I began at the beginning and told him everything I could recall about my life. When I was finished, he said, with a twinkle, "Never killed anyone?" "Of course not!" I replied. "Stole anything?" he asked. "Not even a grape in the grocery store." I said.

"You don’t get it do you?" he asked. "Change one day of your life and it’s choices, and you will probably change the course of your life as well. You may well think that you have had failures or made mistakes, but I see it all as being for the good, because each step you took, each choice you made, brought you here to me."

He went on to say that because of the age difference between us, that we might not have a lot of years to share, and so he said, "Use the past, if you must, as an educational experience, not as a place to dwell. Look not to the future, because we may not have one. Therefore, let’s live fully in the here and now and enjoy every moment we are given."

Later, on our wedding day he said that since we may not have "length" of time, we would make up for it with "width" of time. And we did.

This week, I was watching an old rerun of the last episode of "Seinfeld", with all of their funniest moments, including the bloopers where they just broke up because their fellow actors were so very funny with what they were doing.

I thought of the fun the cast had while they were doing the series, and then thought about "Cheers" and the cast from that show. The actors in these series were young and doing that which they most enjoyed doing, and being rewarded with appreciation, laughter and renewals of many seasons.

I watched, and laughed out loud, and wondered where they were, and what each of them was doing, right at that moment. I wondered if what they are doing now, is bringing them as much fun and enjoyment, as what they’ve done in the past?

So, wondering, "where are they now" led me further down the path of my own journey, asking the same question of my life - "where are you now?"

Was it Shakespear who compared us all to actors on a stage? We begin the drama of our play and enjoy it as though it will never end, and most of us fail to be in the "now" and fully enjoy where we are, what we’re doing and whom we’re with, until the curtain falls, or our series gets  "cancelled", and we look back with sadness that it’s all come to an end.

I told someone recently that it would be nice if a little warning bell would ring, or a little light would flash each time we are about to do something for the last time so that we would really be in the moment and fully enjoy what we were doing. Wouldn’t we really enjoy that last dance, that last kiss, that last time we made love, or took a trip or got out of bed in the morning without hurting? The last hot-fudge sundae, the last time we roller-skated, or the last fishing trip and the stillness of the lake?

So, where am I now? I live more in the moment, and appreciate more in the moment, and walk away from house-work to have lunch with a friend, or work at mid-night, so that the day can be enjoyed with someone I care about. I don’t take any day, or any time "for granted". It’s all a gift and I am thankful.

Where are you now? Has the curtain fallen on your drama, or are you still the main character in an on-going success story? Is your leading mate at your side? Is your "series" being renewed for another season, and the accolades still coming from your fans? I truly pray that it is.

Wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing - be in the moment and enjoy!

And as always, I pray that your journey will be blessed!