A Scare Can Bring Life Into Focus

A Scare Can Bring Life Into Focus

Once in a while we get a big scare. Perhaps there is and accident or an argument and suddenly, we fear we're going to lose someone we love very much. Or maybe we have our own serious health crisis, and our whole perspective shifts and comes into sharp focus. The things that seemed important yesterday are no longer so important. We realize how we wish we were closer to those we love most, and we feel more generous and wish we had helped others more. We also may think of all the things we dreamed of, but haven't accomplished or enjoyed.

Often in life we waste a lot of time on things that are not really important to us and which don't, in the long run, make us happy or give our lives meaning. But life doesn't have to be that way, and you don't have to wait until you have a dark night to change. Take this as a cue to review what is most important to you now.

Who are your most favorite people? Are they the ones you stay closest to? Are you kind to them? Have you told them how much you like and love them, or have you been hung up on every-day matters? Make a short list of these people and start to reach out to them today. It may take them a while to respond, because it's also easy for them to get `caught up' in the business of life. Don't let any arguments or distance get in the way. Do it now, and do it regularly.

What do you wish to do in your life? Are there things you wish to do, but you keep saying, "one day,"? It's time to quit putting things off. Do something about your dreams every week... every day, if you can. Your dreams may be large or small. Know what they are. Don't let your wish for an exact or perfect match to your dream prevent you from what you can do. Maybe you'd like to be very rich and have a leisurely coffee each morning at your villa on The Riviera, but don't let the lack of riches now prevent you from enjoying coffee at your favorite spot in your current home, or of developing a plan to get there.

The older we get the less important it becomes what we have in life, and the more important it becomes what we do for others and how we treat them. Take a moment each day to think of what is most important to you, and let your every day be formed around those thoughts.