Beware the Ides of March!

Is It Just ME, or are you, too familiar with this expression without really knowing why?

Briefly, the Roman calendar began in the month of March.  The beginning of the New Year was cause for celebration and the celebration typically lasted until the middle, “the Ides”, of the month.

The warning, “Beware the ides of March” was given to Julius Caesar by a soothsayer, who was forewarning the Roman Emperor of the danger he would encounter in the middle of March.  Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44BC.  His death was avenged on the same day, 4 years later,  when hundreds of conspirators were murdered.

So, all you Roman Emperors, “Beware the Ides of March”, indeed!

The middle of March is upon us; today, the Ides of March.  This time of year means our New Year’s Resolutions are probably as much a part of history as the death of Julius Caesar!  That’s OK!  We’re all human.

Like most things, the Ides of March can mean many things.  Most important is what it means to you:  your thoughts, your perspectives, your realities, your actions or lack thereof…your choices. 

The Ides of March need not just refer to the middle of March – it could refer to the middle of well – anything!

Have you ever started something: a project, a book, a letter, an assignment, cleaning out the basement…you get the picture…and stopped just about half-way through ?  (Take a moment…can you think of an example?) What made you stop? 

HMMMMMMM!

Of course, it’s important to start, to take the first step.  But, getting off to the wrong start or a slow start shouldn’t justify abandoning a project.  I recently told a group that many a horse has won the Kentucky Derby out of the worst post-position and being last out of the gate. 

What matters is how we finish – THAT we finish. 

Don’t be deterred by bumps in the road; anticipate them.  Don’t be derailed by nay-sayers who, quite probably, don’t know enough about what it is you are doing to even have an (intelligent) opinion; they’re just playing it safe.

Don’t be discouraged if details become complicated, confusing, overwhelming.  Just take a moment and remember what it was that made you start in the first place.  Refocus.  Keep moving forward.  When necessary, start all over again.

For me the “Ides of March” means “half-time”.  It means there is as much time – and opportunity – ahead of me as there is behind me.  It means I get to catch my breath, refresh, pick myself up and continue to move forward.

“Half-time” means it’s exactly equal; I have as good a shot to succeed, to win, to make a difference, to touch the life of others as at any other time in my life.  What could be bad about that?  I’d take those odds any day.

Focus on the upside.  Only look back to realize how far you’ve come.  Look ahead to see how close you’re getting to the finish line. 

So, by all means, “note” the Ides of March, be “mindful” of them, and be happy when you reach the half-way point of anything.  Taking just one more step gets you closer to finishing than beginning.  It’s always about ONE MORE STEP.

So, IS it just me, or have the “ides” of life tapped you on your shoulder, too?  Of course they have!  They are reminding you that to keep living, to keep growing you must keep moving forward.  And so we do.

You’ll excuse me now,

I have to finish cleaning the basement.