No Time to Waste~
I just got a text this morning for my mom that my Dad's coworker, whom he just visited in the hospital yesterday, passed away during the night. I have never met this woman but am still saddened by this news because her passing happened so very fast.
Two weeks ago, this woman found out she had cancer and in that time it spread throughout the whole of her body; now she is gone. It's unbelievable how abrupt and harsh life can be.
Last week I heard news of an old acquaintance, an individual I have not seen in 20 years, died unexpectedly. I don't know the details. What I do know is that his death has brought a lot of the old to life. People that I have not seen or spoken to in a very long time I will be seeing again very soon in honor of this person's life. We will join together to celebrate a life instead of mourning it. I think that's by far the best way to honor someone, to celebrate them and their time here.
Then, the week before last, I heard news that one of my students who often attended my Sunday morning class had a heart attack and died suddenly. Another shocking and sad bit of news to take in.
All three of these people have been on my mind a lot. And I think what these three people, these three deaths have made me realize is this:
In this life, there is no time to waste.
My life could be over before I know it. I don't mean this in a pessimistic, morbid way. I mean this more in the way that I realize that life is full of the unexpected. None of us knows how much time we have here, so we'd better make the most of it. There is no time to waste taking good care of ourselves, or showing the people we love how much we care. There is no time to waste on doing anything other than what we love and that brings a real feeling of joy and contentment. There is no time to waste on sh!t that doesn't matter or make a real difference in the world. Whether your world consists of just your family or the community at large. How we show up, energetically speaking, and the way in which we contribute has a ripple effect. It's best to think about the sort of rock or pebble you're throwing into the pond because it will move the whole body of water, it will move the whole community.
How I live my life and the things I choose to do or not to do matter to the people around me. My children matter the most. I've always thought that. That statement just means more to me now. So I choose to make good choices, to be healthy and awake and willing to do better for all of us. Truthfully, I just do not want to look back over my life with regret or sadness at not putting the people I love first, or for not doing what I want and love to do. Life is too short not to be happy. And if you ask me, life is full of reasons not to be happy (i.e. finances, relationships, war in the world, the demands of life).
That said, I am in no way suggesting that you or I have to be happy or should be happy or will be happy all the time. I think that's unrealistic. I guess what I am really saying is that life is too short to not be enjoyed. Life is too short to be a complete drag.
Believe me, I can get on or into a downward spiral pretty easy with just one negative thought. One bad feeling can generate another and so on, so I have to be super vigilant in watching my thoughts and doing what I can to stay above the negative. I think that the more I can hold to the things that matter and that keep me sane like asana practice, daily writing, walking, carving out a quiet moment in my day, or reaching out for help keep me connected and heart centered. The more connected I am, the better things go and the easier it is to find some good and enjoyment in each day. Some days are easier than others of course, but the possibility for better is always there.
So yeah, I am realizing that every day counts. In the words of Judith Hanson Lasater...
" It is a miracle that every day all my cells agree to be me for one more day."
Indeed. Another day, a new day is a very good thing.
Live in the Light,
Marcia
Two weeks ago, this woman found out she had cancer and in that time it spread throughout the whole of her body; now she is gone. It's unbelievable how abrupt and harsh life can be.
Last week I heard news of an old acquaintance, an individual I have not seen in 20 years, died unexpectedly. I don't know the details. What I do know is that his death has brought a lot of the old to life. People that I have not seen or spoken to in a very long time I will be seeing again very soon in honor of this person's life. We will join together to celebrate a life instead of mourning it. I think that's by far the best way to honor someone, to celebrate them and their time here.
Then, the week before last, I heard news that one of my students who often attended my Sunday morning class had a heart attack and died suddenly. Another shocking and sad bit of news to take in.
All three of these people have been on my mind a lot. And I think what these three people, these three deaths have made me realize is this:
In this life, there is no time to waste.
My life could be over before I know it. I don't mean this in a pessimistic, morbid way. I mean this more in the way that I realize that life is full of the unexpected. None of us knows how much time we have here, so we'd better make the most of it. There is no time to waste taking good care of ourselves, or showing the people we love how much we care. There is no time to waste on doing anything other than what we love and that brings a real feeling of joy and contentment. There is no time to waste on sh!t that doesn't matter or make a real difference in the world. Whether your world consists of just your family or the community at large. How we show up, energetically speaking, and the way in which we contribute has a ripple effect. It's best to think about the sort of rock or pebble you're throwing into the pond because it will move the whole body of water, it will move the whole community.
How I live my life and the things I choose to do or not to do matter to the people around me. My children matter the most. I've always thought that. That statement just means more to me now. So I choose to make good choices, to be healthy and awake and willing to do better for all of us. Truthfully, I just do not want to look back over my life with regret or sadness at not putting the people I love first, or for not doing what I want and love to do. Life is too short not to be happy. And if you ask me, life is full of reasons not to be happy (i.e. finances, relationships, war in the world, the demands of life).
That said, I am in no way suggesting that you or I have to be happy or should be happy or will be happy all the time. I think that's unrealistic. I guess what I am really saying is that life is too short to not be enjoyed. Life is too short to be a complete drag.
Believe me, I can get on or into a downward spiral pretty easy with just one negative thought. One bad feeling can generate another and so on, so I have to be super vigilant in watching my thoughts and doing what I can to stay above the negative. I think that the more I can hold to the things that matter and that keep me sane like asana practice, daily writing, walking, carving out a quiet moment in my day, or reaching out for help keep me connected and heart centered. The more connected I am, the better things go and the easier it is to find some good and enjoyment in each day. Some days are easier than others of course, but the possibility for better is always there.
So yeah, I am realizing that every day counts. In the words of Judith Hanson Lasater...
" It is a miracle that every day all my cells agree to be me for one more day."
Indeed. Another day, a new day is a very good thing.
Live in the Light,
Marcia
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