I intended to write about something light-hearted today. But as I left the bank this afternoon I heard bagpipes on the radio and the tone of my day changed completely.
The song was "Amazing Grace". It was being played just as Sgt. Ryan Russell, a 35 year old Toronto police officer killed last week in the line of duty, was being lowered into the ground. He leaves behind a wife and very young son. And as the body of this man was being laid to rest in the ground on this cold and rainy winter day, I was walking around with my troubles big and small. But I was alive. Although this man should be honoured, my post isn't about him specifically. It's about life and living it.
We'll never be younger than we are right now. So just what is it that we plan to do that makes a difference when we're a day older tomorrow? Life is a buffet and this year I vowed I'd eat more from it. I've never been ruled by fear but I want to be even less apprehensive of anything new, and I'm in the midst of doing several things that either scare me or that I've never done before. All of this and more will appear on my blogs in one way or another over the next several months.
My mind is completely open to everything around me and I want to approach it all with renewed curiosity, wonder, and enthusiasm. I don’t see a reason to say no to anything that will serve to expand my life’s experiences; after all, who wants to look back and wish they had tried more things and seized more opportunities when they came along? I certainly don’t.
There’s so much that will reveal itself when we open our eyes and minds to exploring them. If we stop to look at what's holding us back from going after what we want in life, I think we'll find what's standing in our way most is ourselves. I hope we can all get past that.
Because in the end the only thing that separates someone who’s passed from one who’s holding back in life, is a heartbeat.
I really like this post and agree with you. I've been putting my life on hold for far too long for reasons that I'm not sure make sense anymore. I'm not promised tomorrow. No one is. So, what the heck am I doing?!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the gentle reminder. xo
That last line is intense. I think many of us spend so much of our lives barely living, whether it be because of fear or hesitation. I had that same vow when the year changed to 2010 and I have to say that although living my life is harder than checking out, I'm glad I decided to do it.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you say things so well.
ReplyDeleteGood post - I totally agree!! I tell my daughter all the time to "get out of her own way". :-) After experiencing the sorrow of many pre-mature deaths, it's a jolt of perspective and reminder how fragile each day is. It's almost like responsibility to make the most of each day that others didn't have the opportunity to experience.
ReplyDeleteWe all vent on things that don't go our way, but at the end of the day, we're fortunate to have had the experience at all.
I love this post, especially the last sentence. It is SO true. Sometimes I wish I could just throw caution to the wind and live life, rather than gliding by...like you said, I'm the only one standing in my way. :S
ReplyDeleteI always thought my biggest challenge is myself! If i can overcome this challenge then nothing else can stand in my way...
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderfully uplifting - it gives me hope. I love you words as always. May we treasure each precious heartbeat we are gifted with.
ReplyDeleteI've always let fear get in my way. No more. Bull by the horns .... it's time to get on with things!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. Gives me the kick in the arse that I needed.
Love you to infinity .....
Hey everyone, sorry for the late response. Thanks for your comments, I think this is the sort of thing that strikes a chord with most of us in some way. I find tragic events like this put things in perspective and make me value life more.
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