My sister recently reminded of an idea that was presented to me nearly two years ago by a great friend, Stacy. The idea was to literally, just do it. Act on every impulse no matter how big, small, silly, or what may seem futile. This concept has changed my life. Completely!
The idea that there be no tomorrow, although daunting, has never been enough to motivate me, but the idea that my thoughts are precious and tomorrow I may forget them, is shameful. What does it hurt to reach out and send that email, write that poem, talk to that person, or reach for any dream? They are all worthwhile, they are there for a reason, and fleeting….so fleeting….
About two years ago I decided to go to New Zealand. Pretty much just like that, I made up my mind, found a way to do it and went. Something deep inside told me to go, and someone told me not only to go, but to go and DO EVERYTHING! Leave no stone unturned, no wish ungranted, and no opportunity left undone. I took these words to heart, and knowing I would never return to Piha, I did just that. It was a decision I made each and every day and although laying in the warm sun on the black sandy beach was tempting (and I did do that too) I hiked in the rainforest, climbed Lion Rock, made friends with strangers, and even hitchhiked (don’t tell my Dad…although he’s reading this too!) I acted on every whim my heart desired. The only limit I placed was on safety, and even that to an extent. I felt I needed to be there when I was there, and live each second with 100% of who I am. In this case, on this trip, there would be no tomorrow. This dream, alive and well for 28 days, would live mainly in memories and in a very few group of pictures. It would last a month in real time, but an eternity in my mind and in the minds and dreams I shared it with. I made it worth it! I heeded my friends advice and did it. I grabbed life by the reigns and surfed and climbed and swam in the very ocean that I would say goodbye to only a few days later. I took it all in, every grain of sand, knowing this journey would be played again and again.
The village of Piha welcomed me like family and returned the favor by not living like a tourist. I just lived.
I invite you all to do this, in every part of your life, no matter how big and overwhelming it may be to how very small it may seem. This journey of mine resulted in many, many opportunities in my life, all of which I listened to and acted on. I have learned to be aggressive with life and live it. I decided to be a main character and not supporting cast. The difference has been amazing, and although I have not arrived, I feel for the first time, I am on the right path.
It is extremely easy to do the same thing and get the same results and talk about what we could be and how the world would look if we did this or that. Those things are easy, and shameful. If we don’t become who we are supposed to be…well, then what? Who will?
This is just like the people that don’t vote and complain about who is in office. Being a participant in life can make all the difference. Living deliberately is the only thing that matters.
I believe Robert Fulghum said it best when he said, “We owe. It’s a moral obligation to participate in the work of society. If you take from the pot, you must put into the pot. Even those who have no money can sing and keep the driver of the bus awake and hopeful.”
With that spirit in mind, I ask each of you to do something, not because of any reason but this. I’m asking. I ask that you forward this message to all of your friends, forward the essay, the link, the message, paraphrase, it doesn’t matter.
The message to send is this:
“The tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we live.” ~Norman Cousins
“Take advantage of everything! Take every chance, do it all!” ~my close friend Stacy S., Chester, MA
“Just do it.” ~Nike
….or whatever words you can make work for you. The message is the same. Live deliberately, as if no one was watching!
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