LONG DAY

What time do you get up in the morning? Days have blur to them as I go to bed thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow. And consequently, a day that should feel new feels part of a never ending extension of yesterday. There is a difference between starting fresh and rehearsing the miscues of a day you’ll never get back.

When I recently listened to an interview of the always colorful Ron Artest, power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, he was asked repeatedly about the lockout and last year’s playoff letdown against the World Champion Dallas Mavericks. While keenly aware of the complexities of his industry’s work stoppage that has sent many of his counterparts overseas seeking employment in foreign leagues, he focused on right now. Ron Artest is relatively articulate and more lucid than people credit. But he just wants to play…today. And as for his name change to Meta World Peace, he said himself that you shouldn’t let the smooth taste fool you. “We’re goin’ hard next year,” says Artest.

I’ll be the first to esteem the value of your day yesterday. It’s a proper context, a book end on the front end to help you posture yourself and not kid yourself about what needs to be done. But make no mistake that today is a brand new 86,400 seconds and you’re not even promised all of ’em so be here and not there. Be present as today presents its challenges and opportunities. If you were a professional athlete would you want last year to define you? Even if you were a champion, it doesn’t mean you are a champion. Compete every day against your fears, arrogance, worries and your long days will get shorter.