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Saturday Night

In Life Reflections by Nancy Caldwell

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I have been a Bon Jovi fan since my mom and I used to dance through our house singing, “You give love a bad name!” at the top of our lungs. Bon Jovi has a song called “Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” that has been my absolute favorite song for many years. It isn’t one of the more popular Bon Jovi songs, but it spoke to me. The first two lines of the song say:

Hey man, I’m alive I’m takin each day and night at a time
I’m feelin like a Monday but someday I’ll be Saturday night.

I am guessing we have all felt that way at one point or another in our lives. More like Monday than Saturday. Saturday is the weekend—time for friends, parties, BBQ’s, sports, no alarm clocks, sleeping in and carefree living. Like the song suggests, I have been on a quest to have my life be Saturday night—rather than just one day of the week. I want to live in the here and now. I want to be present in the moment and have fun! But how is this possible when I am an adult, with children and responsibilities? Although I tend to have a spontaneous kind of spirit, the stuff listed above has taken my “Saturday night” life down a few notches. Nevertheless, here is a list of a few things I find helpful in making today well lived:

I pray. I ask God to show me what he has for me today as the moments come.

I try to notice my surroundings throughout the day and find the beauty or positiveness in them. I know it is cliche to say, “Stop and smell the roses,” but really … stop and smell the roses, notice their beauty and what it adds to your day.

I run. Sounds weird, but running is my therapy. It clears my head and keeps me from getting too cloudy to see what’s in my moment. Even if you aren’t a runner, I suggest some form of physical activity throughout your week.

Say yes. Be willing. Even if it’s scary—perhaps there is a lesson in that fear! Perhaps the fear keeps you from living today.

I listen to music. I am pretty sure there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t listen to music at some point or another. There is a song for every kind of day!

Have lunch dates regularly. I have the best, busiest friends on the planet! I am busy too, but I have found that if I initiate, people accept more often than when I don’t ask at all! Don’t wait on someone else—reach out!

I read. Reading is something I love, but always thought I didn’t have time for. There is always time somewhere in the day to do something you love. You just have to be aware and take advantage of those bits of time when they pop up!

When someone or a thought about someone comes into my head, I chose to believe it is for a purpose and act on it. Sometimes this is just a quick text letting that person know I miss them. Sometimes it’s more. It’s ok. I try to be obedient and act. Since I adopted this philosophy a few years ago, I have never regretted reaching out when prompted to do so.

I pray some more. And give thanks for the moments and the day that was hopefully well-lived. Even the difficult moments are a part of the day I chose to live today.

Photo (Flickr CC) by Sally

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Nancy Caldwell
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Nancy Caldwell

In 1997, when Nancy graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master's degree in Social Work, her story took an unexpected turn that led she and her husband, Chris, to Las Vegas, Nevada. Within a few short months, Nancy began building a career in the challenging field of child welfare. Over the next fifteen years, she had the privilege of stepping into the stories of hundreds of children and the families surrounding them, helping them to make sense of their own lives. She officially did so by utilizing her clinical social work license, but the most important "interventions" learned along the way included simply showing up, being present, and being available. Today, even as her career and life direction continues to evolve, that simple truth remains. Therefore, whether in her private practice at Life Spring Counseling Center or out meeting hospice patients; whether with her house church and community, or with her own family—Nancy's sole desire is show up, be present and be available.
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