Choose your motto, cliche, saying and run with it

Carpe Diem
Seize the Day
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
You only live once (or "YOLO" as I've heard some younger people summarize it)
Life is short
***

Yep, there are tons of sayings, mottos, and cliches that summarize my thinking for the week. I was driving home Monday afternoon thinking about possibly sending an email message to someone. As I debated whether or not to send it, and frankly, what exactly I wanted to say, I found myself pondering "you only live once." This has come up a few times within the past couple of weeks. I've thought of it. I've had a friend say it to me. It's been a part of my thinking, periodically but not daily.

I sent a text to a friend. "What are your thoughts on the idea of 'you only live once'?"
Then, I checked Facebook. There was a post from my sister-in-law. Her dad had been involved in an accident. She requested prayer. Even before more information emerged, I was already finding myself immersing in some more of these "Carpe Diem" thoughts. Something in me grew stronger in my resolve to actually seize the day. Upon arriving home, I decided to send that email and the words flowed from my fingertips. This morning, I texted that same friend and told her of the email I'd sent. In her response, she included "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Affirmation.

I am taking this to heart and I am attempting to apply it to as many aspects of my life as possible. My sister-in-law's father did not survive the night. I got that news by text in the middle of the night, but did not see it until first thing in the morning. My heart broke. More affirmation. Live life fully. Life is short. We are not promised tomorrow.

I was supposed to have breakfast with someone dear to me this morning. I nearly requested putting it off. I reminded myself of my commitment to not put things off until tomorrow really and figuratively. I called. We arranged the time and place. I reconnected with "Grandpa Joe" and I am thankful I had. I did not realize until we sat there talking that we had not talked much and we had not seen each other since having lunch together last summer. I had put things off. Far too long. As we talked, I learned of recent deaths in my former community. I also learned of people in the hospital "not doing well" and many, many changes occurring. I again committed myself to not putting things off. Grandpa Joe and I should be having lunch in just a couple of weeks.

There is no time like the present.

As I watched news broadcasts tonight, an image of my nephew sitting on his grandpa's lap flashed across the screen, multiple times. It was surreal. I knew that man. That boy is my nephew. Is this really happening? My heart broke all over again for my sister-in-law. For her mom. For my niece. For the entire family. Being an empath, times like these are especially difficult. I soak up so much emotion and I sometimes have difficulty processing through it all. I find myself shedding tears without warning. I feel my own emotions, but I also feel for, or with, others. Huge tears streamed down my face as I watched a news story tonight. Please pray for my brother's family. They need all of the strength that only God can give them. And in this, I am also finding myself further moved...moved to continue to live and enjoy life as fully and completely as I can. To not put things off. To remember to say "thank you" and "I love you." I pray this sense of urgency remains even as the emotions transition or even fade in some ways.

For right this moment...I am committed to seizing the day. Carpe Diem

I have always believed that life is for living and I have always done my best to live it to the fullest. Over the past year or so, I have been more interested in taking more risks, but I do hesitate at times. But, as my friend said today, "nothing ventured, nothing gained." I am no worse off if I take a risk and not have it become something. I am, however, closing myself off to possibilities if I do not take those risks.

And, you are doing the same.

Take a risk (ok, let's keep it at reasonable risk).
Make a choice to LIVE life and LOVE fully.
Do not put things off.
Appreciate each moment. (Even things that don't turn out as we hope, turn out as they should.)
Closed doors, opened windows...each and every experience makes us who we are. And, God has a plan for us. A plan for you. A plan for me. A plan for each and every person. We need to allow ourselves to live out His plan for us.

Life is fragile.

Tell those you love that you love them.
Hug your children.
Call your dad.
Cut your mom's hair.
Fold laundry.
Enjoy a "Sunday dinner" on a Tuesday.
Embrace today for tomorrow is not promised.

I wonder what tomorrow has in store. I suppose I'll just have see if and when it arrives. And, when it does arrive, I will give thanks for another day. I am hopeful for Friday as well. I will work to seize the day and embrace an opportunity.

Today, as I talked with a parent after school, I was asked if I was ready for summer vacation.
Nope, not really.
"I'm good," I said. "I'm really good."
I look forward to Easter because I am excited about taking CD and Miss Hollywood camping. But I love my students, I love my school, and I am attempting to take each day as it comes. One day at a time.  I wouldn't change where I am or what I'm doing for anything right now. I choose to embrace it. To live it. To love it. And I hope to continue on my journey and meet my goal for this year of learning to love more fully and allowing myself to be loved more fully. Totally do-able. Right?! Yeah....totally.

So, which of the mottos, cliches, and sayings above do you choose? How will you roll with it? You aren't promised tomorrow, so you better choose now. Adopt it. Embrace it. Live it.