Do it now

Do you remember the story about the grandmother who was given a box of perfectly ripe pears?

Every day she’d eat the one that had just started to go bad and save the best ones “for tomorrow.”

But by the next day, another pear had spoiled — so she’d eat that one instead.

Day after day, she chose the worst of the bunch…

until all the pears were gone.

She never tasted a single perfect one.

It’s a simple story — and painfully true.

Yesterday my neighbor at our weekend cabin seemed unusually down. I asked:

“Everything okay? You look a little sad.”

She sighed, looked away for a moment, and forced a small smile.

“I don’t know how it happened… but my whole life just went by.”

I tried to cheer her up, but then she said the sentence that stuck with me all night:

“I kept telling myself: once I make enough money, once we finish the house, once the kids grow up — then I’ll finally live for myself. I wanted a trendy haircut, pretty dresses… I always dreamed of them. And here I am — still in jeans, still with this silly ponytail.”

I gently asked, “So why not change it now? Let’s go get that haircut! Buy the dress!”

She shook her head and smiled sadly.

“I don’t even want to anymore. I’m tired. You know… reality just didn’t live up to the expectations. I was so busy running, I didn’t notice myself getting older. The rat race won.”

Her words hit me like a punch.

For her, that mythical moment — “later” — simply never arrived.

She burned out before she ever got to enjoy the rewards.

And she’s not alone. There are millions like her.

I once read a line I’ve never forgotten:

“The road called ‘later’ always leads to a place called ‘never.’”

So live now.

Don’t postpone your life until everything is “perfect.”

There are no retakes in this body.

Use your favorite dishes today — not “for guests.”

Drink from the pretty glass.

Wear the scarf that makes you happy.

Take a bite of the ripe fruit — don’t wait until it spoils.

Cook the dinner you keep putting off.

Bake that pie that’s been “not the right time” for the last five years.

Put on the dress that makes you feel beautiful.

Wear the shoes you love and walk through the grocery store like you’re stepping onto a runway.

Order the good coffee. Let your senses go wild.

Travel when you can. Read the books waiting on your nightstand. And if you feel like being a little reckless — go for it.

But most importantly:

Don’t save tenderness for later.

Don’t ration kindness.

Don’t postpone love.

Hug your people.

Say the compliment.

Be generous with your warmth.

Because that’s what happiness is made of.

And a happy person can do anything.

— Angela Bantovska