Why wait? What do you tend to procrastinate on?

We usually procrastinate on things that we don't want to do or don't feel like doing, because they are hard, unpleasant or inconvenient.

But has there ever been something you really looked forward to doing, wanted to do and would enjoy doing - that you put off?

That's the other side of procrastination - putting off things we really want to do. Neither side of procrastination is beneficial.

I want to share excerpts from an e-mail I received many years ago about not putting off beneficial things. “;Why Wait?”; is a note written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend:

“;I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

“;I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

“;I'm not 'saving' anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first amaryllis blossom.

“;I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.

“;'Someday' and 'one of these days' are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

“;I'm not sure what others would've done had they known that they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing, I'll never know.

“;It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited.

“;I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.”;

Other than for the holidays, when was the last time you used your good china? Ate your favorite food? Wore your “;good”; clothes every day? Spontaneously called or spent time with a friend? Made time for your favorite hobby?

What are some enjoyable things you've been putting off? Who are those people who enrich and vitalize your life? Let's not wait until we are 83 years old to realize that life is for living and not postponing.

I encourage you to go ahead TODAY, and every day thereafter, to do one enjoyable thing. Don't put off adding laughter and luster to your life!

I invite you to share with me the things you're doing to add that luster to your lives. See you in two weeks!

Ruth Wong owns Organization Plus. Her column runs the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Contact her by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).