Another new month for the living … ironic to start it by thinking of the dead or of death as traditionally marked by All Soul’s Day (November 1). November is close to the end of the year. Most of us measure life by the number of years lived. We say ‘A good year’ or ‘A bad year’….. Blowing out candles on our birthday cakes accordingly with laughter in that year or a big sigh in the next.
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I have had my share of both the good and the bad. A huge diversity of experiences which comprise my storybook of life. Childhood, school, working, family, children, birthdays, debuts, anniversaries, death, travel, joy, sorrow, fear, disappointment, embarrassment, anger, suspicion, betrayal, surprises, sadness, adventure, worry, anxiety, middle age, adult, and now the golden years.
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That’s how life rolls out for every one of us. Our separate experiences despite being individual and unique run parallel to each other on the spectrum of life. We’re different from each other and yet so much the same. What separates us are the dividing lines of continents, countries, nations, governments, color, race, religion, ideologies, and this crazy idea that we are better than the guy sitting next to us. That makes living in this world such a burden.
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Well, since I can’t solve the world’s problems, neither can superman, but…………..
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I could at least do something about my day and life in my little corner of the world.
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I have learned that life should be measured not by the number of years but by the number of breaths of awesomeness we embrace. Those moments which fill our whole being with authentic joy, contentment, passion, compassion, understanding, love, empathy, gratitude, and positivity.
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Many have written about this '...not by years but by the number of breaths...' but it truly is a good thought. Imagine those many times we have wasted on negativity...... Imagine what we have lost by not loving enough what we love and instead wasting breath on bashing what we hate...... Imagine the strain on our senses as we ourselves create our problems...... Imagine how we have bit by negative bit been draining our souls of its power to heal our lives. We have always been our worst enemy… undoubtedly.
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November has a purpose. That is to remind us that we can’t live forever. Wake up and live life the way it should be lived…. By God’s design. The year will soon be ending as all things in life do. But let it not be said that we didn’t live a good life (tough life notwithstanding)... one precious moment at a time… one precious memory at a time… one joyful heartbeat at a time… one positive experience at a time... one prayer of gratitude at a time... one precious day at a time.
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Thank God for November, too.
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Blessings to you and your family.
