Life is too short to let it pass you by…
Back in 2000, my husband and I found ourselves in Las Vegas, buzzing with excitement and on a shoestring budget. We were young charity workers from the UK, living for adventure but always needing to count our pennies.
On our last day, we stumbled upon a neon sign: Tom Jones Live at the MGM Grand. I grabbed Andrew’s arm, eyes wide with wonder. “We have to see this!” I exclaimed. But instead of diving in, we hesitated, convincing ourselves that tickets would be too expensive and out of our reach. We walked away, thinking we’d save a few bucks and move on.
But fast forward six months, and that decision haunted us. We couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d let a golden opportunity slip through our fingers. “Why didn’t we even check whether it was do-able?” we lamented, realizing that the memories would’ve far outweighed the cost.
From that day on, we’ve lived life to the full. We’ve made a promise to never let an unexplored opportunity pass us by again. In fact, you’ll often hear us say, “Remember Tom Jones” as we begin problem-solving how we’re going to make some dream a reality.
We’ve backpacked across SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand where we walked on the Great Wall of China, watched the sun rise over Angkor Wat, dived on the Great Barrier Reef, and kayaked across Milford Sound. I’ve gate-crashed a VIP area to sip wine with the English cricket team, floated in the Dead Sea, gained a Masters degree, white-water-rafted through the Grand Canyon, spent 7 days in total silence (twice), hiked 177 miles along the border of England and Wales, danced on tables at Oktoberfest, and much, much more.
That regret became a turning point.
“Remember Tom Jones” has given me the courage to live a bigger, bolder life. When I’ve found myself sitting on the fence, not entirely sure of my next move, when I’ve wanted to retreat back to the comfort of what I’ve always known, this simple little phrase has given me a gentle nudge in the right direction. After all, life isn’t a dress rehearsal. And so to quote Mary Oliver…
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
P.S. Ironically, a decade later, Tom Jones came to Adelaide! We were not missing this for anything. We sat in the front row, centre stage, belting out all the classics, and grinning like Cheshire Cats.
