Posted on 12.13.2019

Come and Gone

As we approach the end of another year I oftentimes turn my attention to the chorus of voices that are so plentiful this time of year, that proclaim, “Where did the year go?”

Now, as one who has already lived up 83 of however many more years our Creator has allowed me, the passage of time becomes a more serious and sober subject and frivolously commenting on how rapidly it is disappearing is a constant reminder of just how fast the sand is flowing into the bottom half of the hourglass.

So, as one who has ample cause and occasion to ponder such things, let me share some conclusions I have come to over the last eight-plus decades.

Time moves much faster in retrospect than it does in contemplation. Every hour still has sixty minutes and it is impossible for one sixty-minute segment to actually pass faster than any other sixty-minute segment.

Of course, time goes by so smoothly when we’re enjoying it that it seems as if it glides right on out into eternity way before we want it to, but, no matter how fast it disappears and takes some increment of our lifetimes with it, there is one thing time cannot do.

Time can’t take away the memories you made during its passing by, and herein lies the process of realizing that time is not going by as fast as we thought.

In other words, 2019 has been a busy year for me, I will travel around eighty-thousand miles, play over one hundred and ten cities, do over one hundred and fifty interviews, play several Grand Ole Opry appearances and charity events, write one hundred new soapbox articles, sign thousands of autographs and continue work on a new book and several musical projects and when viewed from this day In December when it has almost gone by, it appears in a whirl, a multicolored parade of day in day out activity, seemingly a quick hello and a swift goodbye and out of here.

But if I stop and harken back to the days when I first came back off vacation last March, when we started rehearsals for the new show, when the tour began with the early dates in Florida, and when I look at my tour calendar and remember all the different cities we appeared in, and pause to examine and relive those experiences, the passing of time lengthens considerably.

And when you apply the same principle to present time, truly treasuring every moment from the time your feet hit the floor until your head hits the pillow, taking the time to savor even the mundane, day to day experiences, you can enjoy the full measure of each day.

For instance, my exercise regimen is a challenge every day, not that the level of the work out I do is extreme by any means, but it is designed to push me to the limits of my comfort zone and therefore a daily confrontation.

I have literally not been bored in years because there is always a song or a story to work on and I try to play scales on my guitar every day to keep my fingers loose.

I am a voracious reader and during football season I am usually flipping channels keeping up with two or more games at a time.

And then comes the best part of my day when I get to walk on stage and play my music for folks.

Going to work involves another routine where we get to the gig an hour or so before set time and do our meet and greet which could involve seeing as many as one hundred people just before showtime.

Then we head for the stage and play our set, walk off the stage out of the venue and on to the bus and head for the next town.

I can do all day just spending time with my wife, and love every minute of it or spend a whole Sunday afternoon watching football with my son, and I ain’t even mentioned food yet.

Now I know that not everybody makes their living traveling around the country entertaining people, but the same principles apply regardless of your vocation, taking the time to enjoy every minute of the day as it progresses can make a lot of difference about how you view the passing of time.

So, if it seems as if life is getting away from you, my advice would be, throttle the day down, make every hour count and start pulling out those old precious memories and spend time doing something you enjoy.

Life is beautiful, live it to its fullest, every day of it.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops our police and the peace of Jerusalem

God Bless America

— Charlie Daniels

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Check out "Mexico Again" from Beau Weevils - 'Songs in the Key of E'

Comments

Good Advise
Amen, Amen & Amen Charlie that is real good advise and there is much wisdom in your article. I do savor every minute of every day God has allowed me to be on this beautiful earth that He created. However since I'm not even smart enough to operate a smart phone, even though I get dozens of calls and texts everyday on mine, I doubt that I will ever figure out how to throttle down. I think of the words my preacher back in the day said, " Some folks try to burn the candle on both ends, this feller has figured out how to do that and light it up in the middle" Like I said sir, good advise and I will try, but I'm figuring I'll die with my boots on, but most importantly I'll be riding for the brand of Jesus.....nuff said God Bless Plowboy
Posted by Plowboy
Looking Glass
That's a keeper. Keep them coming, Charlie. ~ NIMOC
Posted by zjeff
Come and Gone
Among other things, you talked about the behind-the-scenes of your musical career. I like that, letting us know that there’s more to it than just the recordings and the concerts and the celebrity status. By the way, did you get to talk to Ken Burns? -- Tru Cola
Posted by Tru
Trump with Putin and Kim
I very much doubt that Trump’s association with those kind of leaders is out of goodwill, as Plowboy suggested. For example, he handed weapons to Saudi Arabia, supported that country’s attack on Yemen (leading to a humanitarian crisis), sent OUR military to protect THEIR oil (that we no longer need because of deregulation of fossil fuels), lifted sanctions (in reaction to taking Ukraine) on Russia, tried to get that country back into the G7. -- Tru Cola
Posted by Tru
POWER OF PRAYER
I SEE ALL THE TIME WHERE THERE IS HANDS-ON PRAYER FOR OUR PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE. MANY AMERICANS ARE PRAYING FOR HIS PROTECTION AND SAFETY, AND GUIDANCE, I'M ASKING EVERYONE TO PLEASE INCLUDE HIM AND OUR COUNTRY IN EVERY PRAYER. OUR NATION IS IN A BATTLE OF GOOD AND EVIL AND THE DARK SIDE IS NOT GIVING UP WITHOUT A FIGHT....SEE IT EVERYDAY IN THE NEWS..... GOD TURNS AWAY THE DARTS OF ANGER AND HATE AND TURNS THEM INTO MORE VOTES FOR OUR PRESIDENT.
Posted by Patricia
Memories
As a husband / caregiver of a wife with Alzheimer's, may you NEVER find out how wrong you are about time stealing memories. This is also to say how right you are, enjoy EVERY minute the good Lord gives you
Posted by Jack
Admiration for a true patriot
Charlie, reading your soap box posts are so encouraging. For you to have lived the life you have and experienced so much, you’re truly a great patriot. May God continue to bless you with health, happiness, and great cheer for our country and the people of it! Rock on !
Posted by Tony
come and gone!
Charlie, you just wrote one of the most intelligent observations of every day life that I have ever seen written! I am 68 years old and I can tell you that you are A special human being! Keep being awesome!
Posted by dale
I misplaced a post.
I accidentally placed "Trump with Putin and Kim" on this article instead of the one I intended. That post is inappropriate for this article, and I'm sorry. It happened when I didn't think my post went through and was redirected to the most recent article. -- Tru Cola
Posted by Tru
Now and then
The Forgotten Man limps on today, in an uphill battle against his own congress hell bent on impeaching a duly elected president for illegitimate reasons. The people’s house declares our votes don’t matter. Time will tell this tale, and it won't be pretty. ~ NIMOC
Posted by Jeff
Comments
Only got drawn here by Mr Daniels impeachment comments which I think were misguided but I liked the above post about ageing. Let’s just say time cures all ills. Respect. Ivan (New Zealand)
Posted by Ivan
Where did the year go
So much wisdom in your post about the the passage of time. I'm thankful for the reminder this morning, that every moment good or bad is a blessing. With all you have achieved in the music industry you have not forgotten your fans. I'm 35 years old and was probably 22 when run into you in the alley behind the Stage late one night and you had probably just finished playing at the Ryman but still stopped and shook my hand. Thank You Charlie for all you do for your community here in Mid Tn. Just a Simple Man
Posted by Jeremy