i spent some cozy time with my love this afternoon. during our time together, she played some music on her phone, and pulled out an oldie. well, an oldie for us. a song and an artist that always takes us back to a certain time in our life together. listening to the artist’s voice and her songs today transported me directly back to 2009. i could smell things, see things, feel emotions. we were a fairly new couple, living in asheville, soaking up life like crazy back then.
i decided to listen to more of this artist on my way home, and then i heard it. the. perfect. song. at least the perfect message for me today. i had not thought of this song in a very long time, but when it began, the lyrics and music just washed over me and sunk deep into my soul. and i thought, “yes. exactly. now.”
you see, so much happens in life. so much can change within a day. and there are so many dreams, wishes, hopes, and plans we have. but, we get scared. or stuck. or something. why? what are we afraid of? why do we feel that we must do what everyone expects from us and close off those gut feelings we have? why do we ignore the passion that we feel deep within? why do we say “i can’t” instead of saying “yes!”.
you know, life is not easy. obstacles and difficulties and fears creep into our sunny days and make us want to give up. and then there are the days that we just want to hide under the covers. we wonder what the point is. or if we will ever feel good again. sometimes it just feels really tough and really hard and really lonely. it’s easy for me to get caught in these feelings actually. especially when life isn’t giving me exactly what i had planned, or when i simply feel exhausted and uninspired.
but, the other thing that life is, is unpredictable. and short. hearing the song today, being with my love, thinking about our future and our move and our dreams… all reminded me and confirmed within me to keep grabbing life by the horns, to keep seizing the day, to keep following our dreams, and to soak up every little of second of life that i can. there is no reason for any of us to sit on our asses or hide under the covers, but there is every reason to live life to the fullest. to love life, no matter what comes our way, and to fight for the crazy, breath-taking, amazing life that each one of us deserve!
One of these days you’ll be
under the covers, you’ll be
under the table and you’ll realize.
That all of your days are numbered;
all of them one to one hundred.
All of them millions.
All of them trillions.
So what are you gonna do with them all?
You can not trade them in for more…
No no
Take every moment; you know that you own them.
It’s all you can do, use what’s been given to you.
Give me a reason to
fight the feeling
that there’s nothing here for me.
Cause none of its easy,
I know it wasn’t meant to be.
I know it’s all up to me.
It’s all up to me.
So what am I gonna do with my time?
Oooh
Ill take every moment, I know that I own them.
It’s all up to you to do whatever you choose.
Live like you’re dying and never stop trying.
It’s all you can do, use what’s been given to you.
All of the moments you didn’t notice;
gone in the blink of an eye.
And all of the feelings you couldn’t feel
no matter how you try.
Oh oh
Take every moment; you know that you own them.
It’s all up to you, to do whatever you choose.
Live like you’re dying and never stop trying.
It’s all you can do, use what’s been given to you.
Live like you’re dying and never stop trying.
It’s all up to you, use what’s been given to you.
so here’s what i’m gonna do. i’m gonna write a new bucket list kinda thing… one that i am gonna work on from now until my birthday in september. exactly 5 months from today. and that list full of dreams and goals is gonna be my “39 before 40”. yep, this year i turn 39. so, from my 39th birthday until my 40th birthday, i’m gonna accomplish 39 new, amazing things. in the meantime, i am gonna spend the next four months thinking, dreaming, living, and creating that list..
and to start with, i have a big project planned for may. a new kind of daily challenge. don’t you worry, i am gonna still create a photo challenge, but, i’m gonna take part in a personal 31 day challenge also. i’ve been inspired by my blogging friend laura. and my other blogging friend, holly, will be joining in too. more to come on all of this in a few days. stay tuned…
all of this is all about living my life so that when i’m an old, old lady, i’ll be sitting in my rocking chair, satisfied that i sucked everything i could out of this crazy, wonderful life.
Ditto. I wanted to say that reading your post reminded of that quote from Walden, “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” I want to do that too.
Good and healing thoughts to yous.
Kate
GREAT quote!!! peace & love, kate.
I needed to read your positive thoughts today.
sending warm hugs and peaceful thoughts to you. xo
that picture of you two is great! You both look so light-headed, tanned, and simply happy! 🙂
Your bucket list idea sounds like an exciting thing to do. I hope you get to accomplish all of the items you will put on it!
thank you, laura! it was a very happy, light, wonderful time in our life! and where were we?! the states, of course. can’t WAIT to get back there! xo
Hey, I think your blog is great, so i’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award! Congrats! You can check it out on my recent post – Celebrating Bloggers.
thank you so much!!! i’m honored. 🙂