If Tomorrow Never Comes

Jonathan · June 10, 2005

This is one of my journal entries from last year -- pre-band, when I was still trying to fight this battle on my own... every day thinking that tomorrow would be the day I'd turn things around... I thought I'd share it with you all, in case there's anyone out there still waiting for tomorrow to change their life...

If Tomorrow Never Comes

If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day

That she's my only one

And if my time on earth were through

And she must face this world without me

Is the love I gave her in the past

Gonna be enough to last

If tomorrow never comes - Ronan Keating

You may not know who Ronan Keating is, but there's a good chance you've heard these lyrics sung by either Garth Brooks or Barry Manilow at least once in the past ten years.

The thing is, with all due respect to Barry, Garth, and Mr. Keating, I've come to a realization about "tomorrow" that has enormous ramifications for those of us who need to make sweeping lifestyle changes.

Obviously, it's impossible to change yourself yesterday. It's incredibly difficult, as we all know, to change yourself today. But changing yourself tomorrow -- that's the easiest thing in the world, isn't it? I can't begin to tell you the number of times that I've said "Tomorrow I'm going to start a new diet, so I'm going to enjoy the rest of today." In fact, I said it as recently as yesterday, while eating a tub of popcorn (with layered butter, of course) at the movies.

The problem is, however, that tomorrow never comes. You go to bed, thinking that tomorrow holds the key, that tomorrow is a new day, that tomorrow you'll make every right choice, that tomorrow you'll begin a lifelong change for the better. Then you wake up, and to your dismay, it's not tomorrow -- it's just another today. And there's nothing about today that makes your struggle any easier. Then, sometime, after making all the wrong choices for all the wrong reasons, you pick yourself up and think, "Tomorrow will be different."

What that brings, at least for me, is the realization that I will never change until I am willing to change today.

As much as I love both Garth Brooks and Barry Manilow, it turns out that little Annie had it right all along. Tomorrow, you're always a day away, and evidently that's just one day too far.

Monica · June 10, 2005

Jonathan,

What a great post!! I can't tell you how many times I have said the same thing about tomorrow!!

Here's to TODAY!!

Monica

hrv · June 10, 2005

How very well put and insightful.. I am constantly waiting for tomorrow and never quite finding it. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Mita · June 10, 2005

That Rings so true.

Madeline's mom · June 10, 2005

I used to always tell myself that I would start my diet tommorow and hope that I would have more will powere the next day. Thankfully, with my band I don't have to wait until tommorow to hope for a better day- I can do it today!

the best me · June 10, 2005

Thanks Jonathan. I think you ae so cool.

La_madam · June 10, 2005

Jonathan,

How true those words are for me! Thanks for putting it into prespective for me

DeLarla · June 10, 2005

Just in case tomorrow never comes, last night I massaged my husband's tired feet with honey almond lotion, then used the heat massager on his hurting back till he fell asleep. I kissed both doggies on the nose and held my kitty before I left work today. Just in case...

I'llsucceed · June 14, 2005

well said & written my friend. I figured that out when I was in a poor marriage 3 yrs ago. Also struggling with my weight at the same time. One day a friend suggested instead of telling him tomorrow why not right now. Its been a "right now" kinda life ever since.