Monday, June 9, 2025 Living in Real Time: A Lesson from the Football Game We might not have a remote to control life’s timeline, but we do have something even more powerful: the ability to shape our future through real-time decisions Blogs National By Quentin Steen, Representative/BC Member Education Coordinator Ever been caught between a live football game and your PVR playback? That’s exactly where I found myself a while back. On one screen, the game was unfolding live. On the other, I had the luxury of rewinding and fast-forwarding at will. It struck me: how amazing would it be if life worked like that PVR? The ability to skip over awkward moments or replay the good ones sounds like a dream. But here’s the thing—life doesn’t come with a remote. The Allure of Control PVRs are a game-changer. Missed a critical touchdown? Rewind. Commercial break ruining the vibe? Skip it. Bad referee call? Fast-forward past the frustration. It’s control at your fingertips. Don’t we all wish real life worked the same way? Imagine bypassing tough conversations or reliving the highlight reel of your happiest memories. Tempting, right? But Life Plays in Real Time Here’s the catch: life doesn’t wait. There’s no pause button to catch your breath or rewind function to redo yesterday. Every moment happens in real time, forcing us to stay present. It’s challenging, yes, but it’s also what makes life beautiful. The unpredictability, the chance to respond, and the opportunity to grow all happen in the now. Shaping the Future, Starting Now While we can’t change the past or skip to the future, we can shape what comes next. Each decision we make today carves a path forward. The key is focusing on the present and taking action that aligns with the future we envision. Mindfulness: A Real-Time Superpower Mindfulness is about embracing the present moment fully, whether it’s thrilling or mundane. It’s a practice of intentional living, where every action feels purposeful. For me, learning to stay present—especially in challenging situations—has been a game-changer. It’s helped me face real-time moments with clarity and purpose. Final Whistle We might not have a remote to control life’s timeline, but we do have something even more powerful: the ability to shape our future through real-time decisions. So, here’s the big question: how will you make the most of your moments right now? Quentin Steen is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Get your BRAIN right and your MIND will follow! 3 Mental Health Resources to Help You If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, CLAC has a number of resources and interactive tools available to help you at My Health and Wellness. Stronger Minds features videos and quick reads from mental health experts, activities to help you gain resilience, and ask-an-expert videos in response to questions. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides accessible, reliable, and professionally produced resources on an array of health topics including (but not limited to): addictions, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, depression, etc. You might be interested in CLAC Receives Union Training and Innovation Grant From Federal Government 8 Jul 2025 Percon Construction Employees Unanimously Ratify New Agreement 3 Jul 2025 Tabor Manor Employees Overwhelmingly Ratify New Two-Year Contract 3 Jul 2025 Everyday Champion! 2 Jul 2025