Live Like You'll Never Live Twice
Water Skiing. Monarch Experience at Lake LBJ. Anne was nervous about water skiing again for the first time in years. Her hands were even shaking. But despite her fear, anxiety, and nervousness, she did it! YEAH ANNE!
“… Each day's is a gift and not a given right / Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind / And try to take the path less traveled by / That first step you take is the longest stride / If today was your last day / And tomorrow was too late / Could you say goodbye to yesterday?” — Lyrics from “If Today Was Your Last Day” by Nickelback
Action: Take the first three steps to get inspired, stay inspired and take continual, spirited and bold action.
Have you ever been familiar enough with a song that you could sing the lyrics, but then later realize you never really listened to it? Mom's know this can easily happen when listening to the radio with your kiddos; you're singing along to a song with a great beat, suddenly realizing what the words are, and maybe how inappropriate they are! I had one of those moments this week, but without the inappropriate part. I was singing a Nickelback song when it dawned on me that the lyrics were amazingly inspirational and moving. I realized I'm too often “in my head”, thinking and multi-tasking and not “in my heart” and “in the moment”, which inhibits my ability to pay attention, to listen and to be moved.
Last week you boldly took your first step and began your journey with a well deserved “fresh start”. You've treated yourself, said goodbye to the summer, and welcomed your new season with an opportunistic spirit. Today, this week, and every day to come serves as fresh start with the gift of unlimited possibilities. These possibilities are most often inspired when we can listen and lead with an open mind, an in-touch and in-tune body, and an available spirit.
Like all things worthwhile, becoming and staying inspired in not a random act. It's a process and there are steps we must take daily in order to get inspired, stay inspired, and take continual, spirited and bold action. This daily practice will support and empower us to live and see that “each day's a gift and not a given right.” There is a method to living like you'll never live twice, and it starts with you taking action in three ways:
- Say YES to YOU! Say YES and give yourself permission each day to do something that honors your temple and adds heartbeats and breaths to your life.
- Surround yourself each day with supportive and positive people that build you up and and encourage you to be your best you and LIVE your best life.
- Stop, be aware, and take time each day to listen and be grateful for the sounds of your family, your community, passers by, nature, and music as well as sounds of happiness and sadness. Each sound slowly pulls away scar tissue from our heart and enables us to feel, express and live more meaningfully.
Our journey ahead will be fruitful and spirited. There are more steps to take, but these first three provide the essential stepping stones that enable us to experience the kind of abundance and potential we have to offer ourselves, our family and community. I take great pleasure and pride when asking you to take the first three steps with me this week.
Don't forget to check the schedule for the current meeting locations and equipment needs.
This week's video is “If Today Was Your Last Day” by Nickelback. You can read the complete lyrics here.