Taking Time to Pause and Remember What Really Matters

 

We had just finished dinner when the phone rang.

It was my sister.

You ever have that feeling where you just know that something bad is about to happen?

I had that feeling.

I didn’t answer.

She called again.

“Cindy,” she said, “you need to come home.”

She went on to tell me that my dad has entered the last stages of dementia and they weren’t sure how much longer he has left.

I am broken.

My daddy… my hero… my heart.

If I am anyone who has ever done anything in this world, it’s because of him.

He is the strongest, bravest man I’ve ever known.

He’s been through so much and I can’t even begin to express how unfair this feels that he is going through this too.

I don’t know how I’m going to navigate this.

So… I cry.

I remember the countless times he’s shown up for me.

The loving words we’ve exchanged over the years.

I record our conversations now when we talk on the phone.

When he says to me, “I love you to death,” the pain is so intense, I’m not sure how to keep breathing.

It’s like the whole world is now dimmer. Things are so… insignificant.

If there’s a lesson here, it’s this…

Take time to pause, look around, and realize how much of the drama, trauma, and ongoings in your life are insignificant.

Look at all the things that in truth, are insignificant.

And maybe consider how you can let that shit go.

Life is too short not to.

TOP 5 REGRETS OF THE DYING

I found myself this week being drawn back to the book, Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware.

Bronnie was a nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives.

When those patients were questioned about the things they regretted the most, here’s what they said…

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Today, ask yourSELF, how can these regrets about dying teach YOU about living? 

 

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST

As I’m navigating the stress and uncertainty right now, I’m noticing how important it is to be healthy – physically , mentally, and spiritually .

In order to show up for others, you have to be well enough to show up for yourSELF.

I know that I don’t do well without sleep. So, I’ve used these bath salts for the past few days and they’ve made a HUGE difference.

So, look at your life, your habits, your food. Where can you uplevel and care for your SELF like you mean it?

 

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

Create a life you love filled with meaningful work, soul-stirring relationships, and plenty of self love by getting honest with yourSELF today…

• What do you REALLY want?

• What do you want to let go of?

• What steps will you take in the direction of your dreams?