LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE
Image Source: Brett Jordan (Unsplash)
"I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived. And when it was time to leave, gracefully it knew life was a gift." - Dodinsky.
Since Mom's passing, I have become more introspective about life in general. In the days that followed, I received a card from a friend that stated that I should continue living my best life. A few weeks later, Judy and I received an anniversary card from my brother and his family, which stated the same thing - LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE. Twice within a short period, the same message appeared and inspired this blog post.
These days, our country and world have become divided by harsh ideology, which I will call the "noise". We have become so distracted by this noise that we have forgotten why we are on this earth. Our mission is much more than a passion for said ideology. Reflectively, and at the end of each day, our mission is to make this world a better place to live. To find our niche, we must learn to work around the noise to discover our true calling. The "noise" wants us to forget that underneath it all, we are decent human beings.
During my firefighting days, a gentleman struck up a conversation with me about what I had witnessed thus far in my career. He asked, "After all you have seen, do you still believe that people are inherently good?" I responded by saying that, yes, the majority of people are good. Otherwise, what kind of world are we living in, and why are we even here in the first place? I know this isn't easy to fathom because with the advent of advancing technology and artificial intelligence, we have easier and quicker access to becoming mean-spirited when another person does not share our worldview (perspective). That is just the distracting noise.
To live our best life, we have to sift through the noise of ideology and divisiveness over differences and honor others' views. Strengthen, not weaken, our interpersonal relationships. Notice the signs laid at your feet as you walk your journey through this life. It is okay if you have not remembered your underlying mission, because it will remember you. Often, with the help of an outside observer. I have become entrapped in the noise of this world, but I cannot do this anymore. The card that I received from a friend helped me to remember. And for the life of me, when I read it, I did not view myself in this way - I forgot. I will share these profound words with you, my readers, to help me remember.
"Tim, I am still amazed by your beautiful eulogy to your mom. You are, and always have been, a wonderful son. You have honored her in everything you have accomplished, and she would be so proud of you. You have also been a strong husband and family member. I know Lucy (my deceased mother-in-law) could not have asked for a better partner for Judy. We are all blessed to have you in our lives. Me, my kids... everyone. Keep living your best life and staying the compassionate person you have been placed on this earth to be. Keep making her proud, and by "her", I mean all the women that are graced by your strength."
Image Source: Author
Remember, my friends, all you have to do is notice the signs to stay on track with your mission to live your best life. Until next time-
Namaste,
Tim
PS In the following song, Toby Keith reminds us that sometimes there are more important things than our checklist of tasks for the day.
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