My accountant (of all people) keeps telling me to live life to the fullest because, “you never know what disasters tomorrow will bring.”

Tim practices what he preaches – travelling, going out to events, and meeting as many people as he can.

He also forces others to adopt his philosophy, inviting them along for the ride. “Have you ever been to a hockey game?” he asked me. After I replied that I had not, he sent me a free ticket to attend a game with him.

The more I think about it, and the older I get – the more I realize how right he is.

I have an older member of my family who has developed dementia, before his time.

Once strong with a powerful wit, he now wanders the halls of a nursing home – yelling at strangers, unaware of his surroundings, and living in the past.

We will all get old. And while I do not see aging as a “disaster,” I am all too aware of what can happen to us.

A friend of mine recently had a family member die in a car accident.

That life was cut short at age 38.

He never saw it coming. One minute, he was laughing and enjoying the company of friends. The next, he was gone.

For years, I would be in conflict with certain people. Arguments flared often. Anger was the order of the day.

Now, I look back on those days with regret and sadness.

How foolish we are as a species to spend our precious time in conflict with each other.

Today, I try to seek common ground. I look for the good in people and in circumstances. I attempt to put the emphasis on learning.

I do not always succeed, so if I fail, I try to just move on.

I have been accused of being a person who tries to avoid conflict. I am told this is not healthy.

All I know is that I feel better this way.

My accountant Tim is not afraid to laugh, compliment others and be himself. He’s not afraid to try new things. In many ways, Tim is like a child.

Maybe that’s what we all need to be like.

A child – who only knows how to live in the here and now.

To the fullest.