My daughter and I were watching a live performance of Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow after reading the book together. We were humming along to the song, which is initially sung in the past tense,

“Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee.”

Suddenly, Peter says “present tense” into the microphone and starts singing the same lyrics, only in the present tense.

“Puff, the magic dragon lives by the sea
And frolics in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lives by the sea
And frolics in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee.”

This simple switch in lyrics overwhelmed me. All the sudden, Puff the Magic Dragon was alive. The camera crew switched visuals to the audience. Their faces were more light-hearted, more alive themselves now that Puff was too.

Many of the patients I see, my friends and even myself (guilty) say things like “I used to…[fill in the blank with be a runner, workout, be active, lift, rock climb, eat healthily…”. This live version of Puff the Magic Dragon made me realize how quickly we can move from past to present. We can bridge the gap between these two words with 1 action today. A run, a workout, an apple.

We don’t have to wish we did something that we used to, something we feel bettered us, or improved our life. We can start again, right now, without waiting.

What is your positive “I used to be” comment? Can you do that something today to improve your future? Remember, you get to decide what you identify with. If you run, you can call yourself a runner. If you try to improve the food in your diet, that you are a healthy eater. The faster you identify with something or believe in something, the more effect it has on your thoughts, your actions and your life.