Seize the Moment!

I recently discovered a wonderful little book that has helped me put my entire life in perspective. It's Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson.

The book is a wonderful collection of "tips and tricks" so to speak, on how to not allow life's little annoyances to get the better of us. Here's some of the chapter titles: "Make Peace with Imperfection," "Be Aware of the Snowball Effect of Your Thinking," "Learn to Live in the Present Moment" and "Surrender to the Fact that Life Isn't Fair."

After having read the book, I've been working harder at becoming a better listener and taking time to enjoy the simple things of life. The concepts and premises of the book really have had an effect on my daily life.

You might say, what in the world does this have to do with Apple or the Macintosh? Well, if you think about it, quite a lot.

Macintosh users and believers in "The Mac Way" are the proud few of the computing world. When I think of making peace with imperfection, I think of the Windows operating system and Bill Gates. Yes, I must use it every day at work. I must deal with the inconsistencies of the system, the different ways to do the same tasks in different programs and so on. Rather than get frustrated, I slow down and quietly acknowledge that there is a better way and it's sitting at my desk at home. Thus, inner peace.

We Mac users may not dominate market share, but we can effect others by what we know. You can have a positive effect on your workplace by interjecting (at the proper time, of course), what you know to be true about the Macintosh advantage. There comes a time in every IS department that the Windows just doesn't cut the mustard, such as in professional design and publishing. This is when you need to be aware of the possible snowball effect of your thinking. Don't flaunt it, but be aware of the Macintosh advantage and be able (and ready) to demonstrate it to the unenlightened.

Learning to live in the present moment has deep and lasting ramifications for all of us. Take time for yourself. Take time for your family. Take time for your physical well being (exercise). Take time for your spiritual well being (set aside a quiet time to reflect on your day and your life).

Living in the present moment also means enjoying what you have right here and now. Your health. Your life. Your family. Your friends. A superior computing platform. Rather than worry about what tomorrow might bring, enjoy today. They'll never be another one. Rather than worry if Apple Computer will be in business or not tomorrow, enjoy what is today and Apple's resurgence and wonderful products.

I gave up the notion a long time ago that life is fair and that if I tried hard enough that it could be fair. It is not and never will be. We live in an imperfect world, so you better get used to it.

Windows represents that imperfection and because the world doesn't know the difference, it's the world standard. Get used to it and the fact that the Macintosh will never be the world's choice. That's not to say that Apple won't capture additional market share and continue to grow and flourish, but the likelihood of dominance has passed. So live with it. Windows is "good enough" for the rest of the world and that's that!

Think about it. It's the little things of life that make life worth living. A note of encouragement to a co-worker. The hug of a child. The warm glow of a computer monitor that smiles back at you and gleefully "chimes" the start of your day.

Enjoy and seize the moment. It will never come again.