Time to get serious. Over the past month and a half, a senior from my high school and a graduate of my high school from the class of 2012 both passed away suddenly. I knew who they were, but I regret that I didn’t know either on a personal level. That being said, I’ve taken both deaths rather hard. Hearing about these kids pass away burdens me. I am heartbroken by the losses. I’ve felt heavy and deeply saddened for weeks now. Not surprisingly, these events have left us asking, Why?”. I don’t have a good answer to that question, but I see this as a call to action. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting things I did or didn’t do when given the opportunity. I want to live by the wise words of those who have gone before me, because after all, you only live once.
1. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein
Think about it. We only exist because of a million little coincidences in the universe that somehow came together to form life. That is crazy! That is a miracle which should never be taken for granted. I truly believe that if we accept each moment as a gift from God, we learn to appreciate what we have to a greater degree. A life we value is a life rich in generosity and gratitude. We should live each day keeping in mind the fact that life is a precious miracle, not to be taken for granted.
2. “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is no use in regretting the past; what’s done is done. We cannot change what we may have done prior to this moment in time, but we can learn from our mistakes and move on to bigger and better things. With that in mind, it should be a priority to do the best we can with what we are given, to take risks, to live in a way that allows us to be fully ourselves. Replaying what happened yesterday is pointless – we have no control over it. It is so much better to seek forgiveness, forgive ourselves, and move forward. No regrets.
3. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank
This quote speaks to me; it is my goal in life to make the world a better place and to help people. It is beautiful to realize that at any point in time, even the smallest action can have a positive effect on others. All it takes is a smile on the subway or holding the door open for someone; these random acts of kindness contribute to the greater good of all mankind. We must let our positivity rub off on others. Even that can add to the overall goodness in the world.
4. “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” Robert Frost
We can’t let the little things get to us. As humans, it is inevitable that we will make mistakes, hurt others, and be damaged. However, we cannot let that get in the way of living. In the absence of someone we love, we cannot stop living ourselves; we must carry on, we must honor the memories of those we have lost by taking to heart the lessons they have taught us. Those we meet forever mark us; we cannot disregard the indelible impressions left by others once they are gone. Life goes on, keep on living.
5. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Mae West
This ultimate call for YOLO, not as an excuse to do something stupid, but as a reason to live life to the fullest, tells us that we only get one chance to make an impact. We must trust in God to guide us, be with the people who make us happy, do what we love, and set goals for ourselves. Life is too short to live aimlessly; we have a path laid before us and a mission given by God to make the most of every moment. Every life is worthy of love and respect, especially our own. In order to love and respect ourselves, we must life the life we are called to live.
I want to leave with the words of Mother Teresa:
“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.” Mother Teresa