Last night I had the worst dream of my life. The kind of dream that you wake up from and it feels like it isn't over. My heart was pounding and I could barely catch my breath. I've had nightmares before, hell...I've had night terrors where I thought I was dying just to wake up covered in sweat and on the verge of tears. This time it was different. I lost the most important things in my life, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Which got me to thinking. How many of you have lost the most important things? How many are still in the process of losing them? How many have given up hope? Let's start with what the most important things are. They aren't material items, nothing that can be replaced with an exact match to the item. For many of us the most important things are the people we share our lives with. You can read this and lie if you want. You'll only be fooling yourself. Do you know how I know? At the end of your life, when you are laying there knowing your final breath is only moments away. Do you want to turn your head and see your new car? Your huge bank account? Your house? If you said yes then I truly feel sorry for you. Me? I want to see the people who mean something, I want to hold the one I love one last time, I want to squeeze my children. I want to cry for them so they don't have too. I know this may seem sad or somber in nature but the truth is this...Did you treat those people like they are the most important things in your life today? Yesterday? For most of us the answer is no, I know I have been guilty of this myself. The frustrations from the day to day overshadow what is important and it gets ignored. Playing catch with your children, a simple hug...a smile. It occurs to me that even as I write this it could be the last thing I ever do on this earth. So I have adopted the following rules to live by, feel free to take these and use them yourself. RULE #1 NEVER GO TO BED ANGRY Just don't do it. Apologize, do whatever you have to do to make peace. It makes no sense to harbor animosity. RULE #2 BE HONEST WITH YOUR FEELINGS Don't hesitate, don't be afraid. Say "I love you". Say it when you're happy, mad or sad. Never hesitate to tell those people what they mean no matter what. RULE #3 ALWAYS GIVE HUGS I know, sounds corny, but trust me a hug drastically underrated. Think about the first time you hugged that person. RULE #4 REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME Remember the first time you saw that person, the first hug, the first kiss, the first time they made you smile or laugh. RULE #5 LIVE TODAY REGRET FREE Say what needs to be said today, do what needs to be done today, be who you want to be today. Tomorrow is never promised. RULE #6 NEVER STOP BEING OPEN TO LOVE Stay open, no matter how many times you've been hurt or hurt others. There is always someone there to love you back if you're open to it. Let me leave you with one final thought, I truly believe that this life is only restricted by the walls and obstacles we refuse to overcome. I've accomplished so much with just stubborn determination, whenever I feel like I can't do something. I just remember how far I've come and ask myself "are you done?". The answer is always no. What's your answer? |
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