"Life is too short not to make the best and the most of everything that comes your way everyday." ~Sasha Azevedo
"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." ~Braveheart
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ~Abraham Lincoln
Recently I have been thinking about life and its precious nature. Unfortunately I have written more sympathy cards and attended more wakes in the past few weeks than I would care to attend in a year, or perhaps even a lifetime. It seems that life, for some, has come to an abrupt end, and it makes me think. IAM Thinking first of all, why does it take a death to make us realize that we need to live? It feels like we constantly need this tragic and untimely reminder of what really counts. After hearing of a true tragedy in the life of another, suddenly the extra fee you were charged at the grocery or store, or the job that you lost last year doesn't seem nearly as important. Why do we often forget what a miracle it is to just be alive--living and breathing?! Every day that we wake up is a gift. Why waste your time focusing on all of the negative things in your life instead of realizing that you actually are fortunate enough to have a life. You are fortunate to just be alive. And if you are alive, then LIVE!
My grandfather used to say, "I'd rather have 70 years living my life the way I want to live it, instead of 90 years living by someone else's standards." Not only was "grampdawg" very wise, he was true to his word. He died at 68 as a diabetic who had stashes of chocolate lollipops and bins of double bubble bubble gum in his closet. He took annual family vacations to Aruba and would take his children and grandchilren out to lavish dinners on a weekly basis. When I think of living your life to the fullest, I am constantly reminded of his outlook and character. He epitomizes this concept for me. So maybe he didn't live those 90 years, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish he had, but I will say this: he really lived. How many people can say that?!
Sometimes I think the true tragedy of death is the unfinished business, or the false hope of a life that was never complete. I once read a really great quotation from an anonymous author that said, "when it is all said and done, will you have said more than you've done?" How would you answer that question? In fact, if you knew when you were born that you were only going to get 22 years old earth, would you live differently? Unfortunately two of the most recent deaths that I have learned about were 22 year old girls. This really makes me think, and I decided to share what IAM Thinking with you.
Life is meant to be enjoyed. Spend foolish money. Tell someone how you really feel about them. Sing in the shower. Eat that extra cookie. Reconcile an old friendship. Let go of grudges. Don't wait for the end of a person's life to let them know how you really feel. Don't wait for the reminder of death to encourage you to live. Make a bucket list...think about all of the things that you would do "if you had more time", or "if you had more money", or "if you didn't have to work", or whatever excuse or distortion you convinced yourself was hindering you from getting what you really want out of life.
Today, do something that really expresses how alive you are. You will not regret it...someday you will not have this chance. Whatever happens after this life none of us can say for certain. We are all entitled to beliefs of an after life, heaven, reincarnation, whatever it may be. Yet none of us can confirm 100% what life beyond this one looks like. However, what we know for sure is that we have this life...this very precious and beautiful life. And we can shape the way this one looks. As Mary Oliver says, "Now tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?". So IAM Thinking...whatever it is you plan to do, do it! Don't wait for a "rainy day", or even worse, for the end of your life.
This is what IAM thinking...what about you?!
"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." ~Braveheart
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ~Abraham Lincoln
Recently I have been thinking about life and its precious nature. Unfortunately I have written more sympathy cards and attended more wakes in the past few weeks than I would care to attend in a year, or perhaps even a lifetime. It seems that life, for some, has come to an abrupt end, and it makes me think. IAM Thinking first of all, why does it take a death to make us realize that we need to live? It feels like we constantly need this tragic and untimely reminder of what really counts. After hearing of a true tragedy in the life of another, suddenly the extra fee you were charged at the grocery or store, or the job that you lost last year doesn't seem nearly as important. Why do we often forget what a miracle it is to just be alive--living and breathing?! Every day that we wake up is a gift. Why waste your time focusing on all of the negative things in your life instead of realizing that you actually are fortunate enough to have a life. You are fortunate to just be alive. And if you are alive, then LIVE!
My grandfather used to say, "I'd rather have 70 years living my life the way I want to live it, instead of 90 years living by someone else's standards." Not only was "grampdawg" very wise, he was true to his word. He died at 68 as a diabetic who had stashes of chocolate lollipops and bins of double bubble bubble gum in his closet. He took annual family vacations to Aruba and would take his children and grandchilren out to lavish dinners on a weekly basis. When I think of living your life to the fullest, I am constantly reminded of his outlook and character. He epitomizes this concept for me. So maybe he didn't live those 90 years, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish he had, but I will say this: he really lived. How many people can say that?!
Sometimes I think the true tragedy of death is the unfinished business, or the false hope of a life that was never complete. I once read a really great quotation from an anonymous author that said, "when it is all said and done, will you have said more than you've done?" How would you answer that question? In fact, if you knew when you were born that you were only going to get 22 years old earth, would you live differently? Unfortunately two of the most recent deaths that I have learned about were 22 year old girls. This really makes me think, and I decided to share what IAM Thinking with you.
Life is meant to be enjoyed. Spend foolish money. Tell someone how you really feel about them. Sing in the shower. Eat that extra cookie. Reconcile an old friendship. Let go of grudges. Don't wait for the end of a person's life to let them know how you really feel. Don't wait for the reminder of death to encourage you to live. Make a bucket list...think about all of the things that you would do "if you had more time", or "if you had more money", or "if you didn't have to work", or whatever excuse or distortion you convinced yourself was hindering you from getting what you really want out of life.
Today, do something that really expresses how alive you are. You will not regret it...someday you will not have this chance. Whatever happens after this life none of us can say for certain. We are all entitled to beliefs of an after life, heaven, reincarnation, whatever it may be. Yet none of us can confirm 100% what life beyond this one looks like. However, what we know for sure is that we have this life...this very precious and beautiful life. And we can shape the way this one looks. As Mary Oliver says, "Now tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?". So IAM Thinking...whatever it is you plan to do, do it! Don't wait for a "rainy day", or even worse, for the end of your life.
This is what IAM thinking...what about you?!
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