The Long Goodbye
Ever feel like life, especially as the years stack up, starts to feel a bit like… one long goodbye?
It’s a funny thing. You pour your heart and soul into relationships, into projects, into communities. You build something amazing with people you care about. Kids grow up and fly the coop. Friends chase dreams in different cities, maybe even different countries. Colleagues you’ve shared the trenches with for years hang up their hats and head for the beach. Businesses evolve, partnerships shift. Even beloved local spots close their doors.
It can pull at the heartstrings, can’t it? Each goodbye, whether big or small, feels like a little chapter closing. And sometimes, let’s be honest, it stings.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned, navigating this incredible, messy, wonderful journey of life and business: embracing the “long goodbye” isn’t about sadness or loss. It’s about transition. It’s about movement. It’s about growth.
Think about it. Every single stage of your life required you to say goodbye to the previous one. You said goodbye to childhood to become a teenager. Goodbye to school to enter the workforce (or start your own thing!). Goodbye to being single to build a partnership. Each step forward involves leaving something behind.
Treasure the Memories, Don’t Live in Them
Now, don’t get me wrong. Those memories? Gold. Pure gold. The laughter, the lessons learned, the shared victories, even the tough times you navigated together – that’s the bedrock. That’s the fuel. Keep those memories close, polish them bright, pull them out and smile. They shaped who you are today. They’re proof of a life lived, connections made, impact created.
But here’s the crucial distinction: Treasure them, don’t set up camp there.
The rearview mirror is small for a reason, folks. Glancing back helps you understand where you came from, but staring into it means you’re going to crash what’s right in front of you! Living in the past, constantly replaying the “good old days,” robs you of the vitality and opportunity of right now. It keeps you stuck.
The Thrill of the Next Adventure
What truly gets my fire going? The next thing. The new challenge. The next connection. The next opportunity to make an IMPACT.
Saying goodbye, even when it’s hard, creates space. Space for new people to enter your life. Space for new ideas to take root. Space for new adventures to begin. Maybe it’s launching that project you’ve been dreaming about. Maybe it’s mentoring someone new. Maybe it’s learning a completely different skill. Maybe it’s simply finding a new coffee shop and striking up a conversation.
Life isn’t meant to be static. We’re designed to evolve, to learn, to adapt. Each stage brings its own unique gifts and challenges. Resisting that flow is like trying to swim upstream – exhausting and ultimately futile. Riding the wave, even when it feels uncertain? That’s where the excitement lies.
The Only Moment That Matters: NOW
And this brings me to the most important point of all.
The past? It’s gone. Memories are wonderful, lessons are invaluable, but you can’t change a single second of it.
The future? It’s not promised. We can plan, we can dream, we can set goals (and we absolutely should!), but we don’t own tomorrow.
What do we have, guaranteed?
THIS moment. Right here. Right now.
This breath. This conversation. This task in front of you. This opportunity to connect, to create, to be.
When you truly grasp that, the “long goodbye” takes on a different meaning. It’s less about what’s ending and more about appreciating the connections and experiences you have today. It’s about showing up fully for the people around you now. It’s about pouring your energy into making this moment count.
Because ultimately, a life well-lived isn’t just about the grand narrative stretching from beginning to end. It’s about the richness and impact woven into each present moment.
So yes, acknowledge the goodbyes. Feel the feelings. Treasure the memories. But then? Turn your face forward. Embrace the transition. Get excited about what’s next. And most importantly, dive headfirst into right now.
This moment is your stage. Make it count.
Let’s go make an impact, together!
All the best,
Ken McArthur
Best-Selling Author and Producer
KenMcArthur.com
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