i originally had a different topic planned for today’s post, however, having heard the tragic and heart breaking news on Sunday that i am sure most, if not all, of you have heard about i felt god was pulling me towards a different message. a message that we all deeply know, yet continue to need reminding of it from time to time. it’s that,,

life is short.

even as i type this post up i’m emotional just thinking about it. my thoughts are jumbled and what i once wanted to say seems to have floated away somewhere in the space between myself and the laptop that easily rests upon my lap.

loss is painful, and devastating, as well as shattering. now none of the 9 who were on that plane were people whom i personally knew, or who i even had much knowledge about for that matter, and it was and is still saddening, just as any tragic event is.

as i continued to see posts and articles in regards to the helicopter crash that took 9 beautiful lives including Kobe and Gianna Bryant; John, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser; Sarah and Payton Chester; and pilot, Ara Zobayan i just kept coming back to the idea that life is so precious,,, and fragile. i thought about the families, friends, communities grieving, the lost dreams for those who would never get to continue pursuing them, along with the little moments that would be forever lost. i recognized that as much as we could deny it there at some point would come an end and man i don’t know about you but that just makes me want to hold my loved ones closer.

now i do not want this post to be just filled with sadness and i realize that is what i have been doing up until this point but you beautiful people i hope you let this speak to you in a way that can empower you. yes, be sad - i am right there with you. i feel it. it’s been a heavy past few days, but what we can take out of a horrific occurrence; i hope you let that fuel you, and may that fire in your heart be further turned unto greatness.

we must live. not the mundane, go through the motions kind of living. no, i mean living fully and whole heartedly.

really what better way to honor our past loved ones though is to keep living? every day. to keep living. for those who are gone, but also for yourself. keep living because you are purposeful in his (god’s) image. not to mention because you my friend are amazing and deserve happiness.

here are some ways to living the life you were meant to:

be present: so often we get caught up in our past or daydreaming of the future we forget to enjoy what is right in front of us. i get it, i do too (and sometimes more than i would honestly like to). it will happen, but it is so important to think about how we can really enjoy the here and now, because that is all we really have. the past? we had. been there, done that. we can not change it no matter how much we wish we could. the future? while it is a good thing to be thinking about as well as working towards (i.e. how we set goals) it prevents us from being fully in the moment. the present though, that is were we really get to work our magic, and have fun. please do no wish your todays away because of something in the future. look forward to it, yes, of course, but also embrace the moments you do have. further use those moments to create the best version of yourself. in an argument? apologize, even if you weren’t the one in the wrong, who really cares? is it worth the fight? drifting friendships? reach out. trust me in the fact that it will not be awkward in the least because people will love that you thought of them. unfinished projects, plans, dreams, goals? get to work. do not give up. afraid of failure? shoot your shot. you will never know until you try and if you fail, continue until you don’t; greatness is not achieved overnight. oh and the little moments; cherish them, each and everyone. continue to pursue to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
do you: i know this sounds obvious, but it is so important to remind ourselves that we are fully capable of making decisions for ourselves. if you want to open up a bake shop or restaurant even though your parents always imagined you would be a doctor? do it. you want to write a book or act in a movie. go for it. your future is yours. do what makes you feel happy and do not give up when things take a turn in the wrong direction. re-evaluate and keep on pushing. do not settle loves - build the life you dreamed of.
love unconditionally: now i’ll be honest this one is not always easy and especially when someone does something that annoys or hurts your feelings. i always go back to thinking about conversations though and trying to leave every conversation in a good place because what if that is the last conversation you had with that person? would you be happy with it? would you wish you had said something else? something more? we truly just do not know what each day will be like. life is unpredictable and tomorrow is never promised. that is why it is so very important to be kind. to be thoughtful, to love more. tell your love ones you love them, appreciate them, and care about them because there might come a day when you (or they) can not be there.