Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

I was taking a look at my finances yesterday and I realized that I didn’t save as much as I would ideally have liked this past year. I felt bad for not more than a couple of seconds because it came to me that although I could have saved more, I would have missed out on so many other things. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the trips I made, the things I did and how I spent my money for anything. These to me are my riches, not just for this year, but for the rest of my life.

As I tried to plan my finances for the coming year, I started out computing my target savings per month. But again, I found myself making exceptions for more trips I want to make, more things I want to do and other things I’d like to spend my money on. In the end I came to a compromise. Yes, I would save more; I would be more frugal when it comes to my spending habits. But still I know that there are some things worth breaking the piggy bank for. Some things are worth more than money. Trips I dare not miss and things I would make sure to do, no matter the cost. And by the end of next year, how ever much I’ve saved, I will look back without regret.

Things I love but fear I’ll lose as I get older:

1. Roller coasters: I love riding roller coasters. I once went to an amusement park and spent the day riding every single roller coaster there (well, the ones that weren’t under repair at least). I love the rush, the feel of my heart pounding with every sudden rise and fall, the wind on my face, even gripping the handle bars for dear life. But lately, I find myself thinking twice, even trice before I ride a roller coaster. This to me is a sign that I’m getting old. And I sure do miss the sheer recklessness of it.

2. Fireworks: for some unknown reason to me, I love watching a fireworks display light up the night sky. It must be the burst of color. It’s like it takes me back to when I was a kid, sort of like the feeling when I was 7 or 8 years old and Christmas is drawing near. That kind of excitement. It fills me with happiness and before I know it, I have a really silly smile on my face.

3. Laughter: I love to laugh and I love to make people laugh. Thankfully, for this one, I know I haven’t lost it yet. But still, I’m afraid that as years pass, the more I see, the more I experience and learn, the less there might be to laugh about. However, I think I will put up a very strong fight before I lose this one. =)

4. The Firsts: as they say, there’s always a first time for everything. And to me, there’s something really enjoyable about experiencing a first. Some firsts I greatly enjoyed: my first car, my first travel with friends, my first promotion, my first paycheck, my first love letter =P, and so many more. Even the firsts that brought the negative stuff were still worth it. I know that right now, there are still so many first out there waiting for me, but really though, how many more first will there be left as I get older?

These are just a few that I can think of right now. And although I am still young, relatively at least, I feel like time always, always makes its presence known, right behind you, running after you. And there’s no point trying to run faster away from it because if you do that, you’d only be speeding time up. It’s a catch-22. J

How about you? What things do you love and know you’ll miss?