The Lessons Learned in Living Through Loss

Some days change you forever. Your life gets filled with "where were you when" moments. Some of them are filled with love and happiness but mainly when we think of moments that change our perspective; they combined with great sadness and shock. Minutes of shock will forever sear into our memory and story. 

Some hit on a more global scale. For example: 

Hurricane Katrina

9-11

Pearl Harbor

Death of a public figure

War

Some are close and personal: the moment surrounding the death of a friend or family. A relative diagnosed with a chronic illness. An Accident. Grief. Shame. Abandonment. Guilt.

The list of examples is endless. It is moments like these that stop us in our tracks and pause time. The world stops turning, and everything around us is hypersensitive. We remember where we were, what we were wearing or doing, who we were with, what we felt, saw, and what was happening. 

Somewhere between shock and acceptance, we have this revelation. One that, sadly, doesn't always remain. We become overly aware of time and its preciousness of it. We hug our kids a little longer, tell our family we love them more often, and become acutely aware of how critically important it is to enjoy one another. To live life to the fullest because you have unfortunately been reminded that time is precious. Suddenly, the problems we thought were so big and hard became insignificant. We immediately come to a profound conclusion about priorities and what matters most in life. 

And then...we don't. 

The world starts to rotate again. Life continues. Schedules take back over. Everyday life (or a new normal one) eventually returns. Even if the life-altering circumstance is close to us- a new normal takes over.

Thus we forget. 

We forget what matters. We fail to prioritize appropriately. We forget how precious time is-unless, of course, we are late getting someplace. Until once again, we are reminded of how vulnerable life is, unfortunately, by another loss or tragedy. 

We have been aggressively reminded of the fragile yet compromised world for two solid years. A slap in the face to strive to live each day in gratitude and love. Not just when tragedy strikes or on holiday. But every day. Wrap your mind around the reality that time is not a gift. Time is merely a period between our beginning and the next beginning, which we can borrow. Wake up knowing and intentionally with a mindset that time is precious and should be lived with purpose. Remind yourself the privilege of your borrowed time will eventually be taken away. It is more complex than it appears on paper, I am aware. So plan for it. Brace for impact while simultaneously embracing everything that comes before it. 

Intentionally plan on loving those around you and living life with purpose. Write down what you're grateful for each day, from deep and meaningful to superficial. Recognize how blessed even a tiny cup of coffee is. Strive to be better and show others in small ways throughout the year how much they mean to you. Focus on the small things: consistent action and unconditional grace. Find time to see the beauty in the mundane. Prioritize what matters and challenge yourself every day to be better than before. Accept defeat with a mindset of reflection and learning. 

Warrior Forward with intention and gratitude while spreading kindness and authenticity. Make an effort to live every day with passion and purpose. The joy of life is to live with purpose. The goal of life is to have it used up.

Don't wait any longer and allow the tragedies of life to be the only reason you decide to live. Embrace another day and another opportunity to do things differently.