Lately I’ve been writing an awful lot about life lost too early.

More recently, a close family member experienced an even scarier one. Fortunately we are both doing well, but all this has put time in the spotlight for me.

Time. One day it just hits you. You’ve spent your life looking forward to the next chapter while missing out on the one you’re reading now.

I’ve experienced this feeling a few times in my life and I think most people do.

I think it’s partially due to how we are led through life by milestones. I think it’s especially true for our youth who are always looking to grow up and move on to the next year.

There is that ever-present focus on graduating high school and starting your life, but the reality is your life started 18 years prior.

For many, that next goal becomes college. You are focused on getting that degree or completing that task, but I think oftentimes we miss so much with our sights set to the future.

The “one day I’ll have this or that” mindset isn’t altogether bad. I think having goals and achieving them is great and rewarding and an important part of self improvement.

But I’ve grown to realize that mindset has often had me missing out on the present.

I’ve rarely stopped to appreciate what I’ve accomplished in life because I turn my focus to the next achievement, that next thing I feel obligated to do.

I’ve delayed trying things I’ve wanted my entire life because I thought my time was better spent pushing for the next milestone, be it buying a house, or landing that job, or seeking a promotion.

Your whole life, the old-timers warn you that you don’t have as much time as you think. That life goes by fast. That money can’t buy time.

They tell you that you never know when your time is up, or when someone you care about’s time might be up. They tell you tomorrow isn’t guaranteed so enjoy today.

They are telling you to live in the present.

I know we all have obligations, responsibilities, troubles, strife and bills to deal with that often distract us from taking that advice.

I’m not here to tell you that those things can be avoided.

But I’m working to be more focused on the present and less worried about the future. I’m going to try a few things I’ve always wanted to do, but never made time for. I’m hoping to better savor my time in the moment, pay a bit less attention to the clock and little more attention to what I’m doing now.

So for those of you out there working toward that next milestone, I hope you reach it.

I’m sure you deserve it, but try to remember to enjoy the life you’re living, not the one you’re working toward. Try that thing you’ve always wanted to, before it’s too late.

Because at the end of the day, those old-timers are right – time is precious. Don’t waste it.

Jimmy Lawton is news editor of North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com