This week a post went viral all over the internet of a young woman who died of cancer. She was only 27 and before she departed she wrote an open letter to the world.
In this letter, no doubt written in a lot of pain and sorrow, she shared some of the joys of her last year of life as well as some universal truths, wisdom from someone that although young in years was full of life experience.
I didn’t read all of these posts. Only one. But that one was enough to gain some perspective on that day. To be in the now. To value the preciousness of the moment.
I was just enjoying a peaceful moment this evening after putting the kids to bed and thought about that woman. She never had children. But she had time to prepare…
But what of those that depart without notice? Those that don’t find peace, don’t have time to say their goodbyes?
Life is so fragile… and it got me thinking… I travel back and forth all the time, and you never know when that day may come.
So, not knowing whether I have a day, a month or decades more, I better leave some of my own words, for my children, for my partner, for my family and all the people that I love…
Life is hard! There are many obstacles. And just when you think everything is fine, that you’ve made it and all is well, life pulls the rug from under you and takes you down again… not to break you, but to teach you, to strengthen you, to help you grow up. To get you to overcome.
The number of shoes you have, the fancy car, the balance of your bank account, all worth nothing. We have such little time on this Earth, those things don’t count a thing.
The most important thing in one’s life is family. The next thing is to help one another. Whether you perceive those people to be under you or above you, aim not to judge, but rather to be a helping hand.
I’m not a master of my own self. I’m not slow to anger, I’m not patient. These are the biggest flaws I still have (among many more) and the ones I’m most ashamed of. Because these things break relationships, they break the emotional balance of children, they break my own well-being. Recognising your shortcomings is the first true step to growth. I hope I still have time to continue growing and overcoming!
Live more for the moment, less for the future and nothing for the past. Even the argument of yesterday has no business in the argument of today.
Be kind above right. I’ve learned this so long ago and yet I still don’t master it in practice, only in theory. Pick your battles comes along nicely with this one. Especially with your kids. They will never do, say or behave always in the right way.
Be true to yourself. Jesus said this I think – wise words! Rather a life short lived in truth than long lived in lies.
Time is short, but take time to appreciate the beauty of the universe. See as many sunsets as possible. Feel the rain falling on your face. Swim naked in warm waters. Wonder at the marvel of our natural world. Oh how I dream of flying out into space and seeing our moon, our planet, the sun, all the way from up there…
Be patient with elderly people. They were young when you were a baby and taught you many things. Above all, they were patient with you.
Most importantly, tell your children you love them no matter what. God knows there’s already too many people out there thinking that they’re not good enough unless they’re perfect, which of course none of us is. I love you so much my little ones, from here to the moon and back.
I travel again the day after tomorrow. May life allow me to come back to read my own wise words and carry on living and learning, for many more days…