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Are you really loving life?
Our time here is short. Love it while you can.
Loving life can sometimes be hard to do.
Sadly, my beautiful sister-in-law lost her husband of 25 years to a heart attack. He was 54. Yes, only 54 – way too young to go! My heart aches for her, but there’s little we can do to help her except be there to talk, tell her we love her and provides hugs, lots of hugs. May he rest in peace.
Just six months ago we lost our beautiful Mum. She’d been ill for a very long time, and in the end, it was a blessing for her to pass – she was ready, but we still miss her very much. Her life was not without some pretty major health challenges, but during the times she was well, she did manage to get out and enjoy herself.
When someone around me passes away, it’s cause to reflect on my own life and wonder, “What if that had been me?” Newsflash – it will one day!! 🙂 In my mind, I scan through my interactions with loved ones, my recent achievements and disappointments, and wonder what more I can do to live a happier, more fulfilling life… before it’s too late. The truth is, we never know when our time will come. It could be today, tomorrow or 50 years away.
Naturally, we all have a certain amount of commitment and responsibility, such as paying bills and taking care of our loved ones. Personally, I have been guilty of getting caught up in the routine of doing just that, and only that, for certain periods of my life. It’s like living on auto-pilot, day after day. Sometimes it’s totally necessary, but we can’t live like that all the time, because it’s existing, not living.
But when something dramatic happens, such as a person dying, it makes me snap out of my routine and think about what truly matters. It makes most problems seem trivial and the things that sometimes push me into a bit of a rut are no longer on my radar. It’s essentially a huge reality check.
I recently heard someone say, “Are you really loving your life, or just paying the bills until you die?” Sure, the bills still have to be paid, but it’s also important to spend quality time doing the things that make your heart sing.
I sure as heck don’t want to live my life without doing the things I love as often as possible. That’s why I’m refocusing on loving life, such as:
- Spending more time with my family, including the pooch
- Catching up more often with my lovely friends
- Cooking, eating and sharing delicious food and wine
- Writing
- Taking lots of photos – and loving it!
- Reading inspirational stuff
- Having fun
- Learning, learning, learning
What do you really love to do? What makes your heart sing? What’s on your bucket list?
When was the last time you set aside some time to do something for yourself? Are you really loving life and enjoying yourself?
I challenge you to find just one little way to love life each day. Even if it’s just five minutes and only one little thing, it’s a start, it will improve your day, then you can build on that, to keep doing the things you love. Soon, you might just find your life will be about more than just paying the bills! Let me know how you go.
Whether you are really loving life or not, what’s the one little thing you can do today to make it a better day?
Please feel free to leave your comments in the box below and/or share this article with your friends. Thanks for your support.
If this post raises issues that you need to speak with someone about, please call Lifeline on 131 114.
The Lovin’ Life Linky pops up each and every Thursday. I’m honoured to be a co-host!
Click on any of the links below to read more amazing stories about Lovin’ Life – because we all need to feel inspired and create our own happiness :).
The rest of the Lovin’ Life Linky team is:
Leanne from Deep Fried Fruit – Min from Write of the Middle
Jo from Lifestyle Fifty – Kathy from 50 Shades of Age
Timely post for me, Lyndall. I think I am ‘living life’ and ‘paying the bills’ right now. But I also have new resolve to tell the people I love how I feel on a regular basis. To not take them or the moment for granted. And yoga! Been doing more of it and being kinder to my body in a physical activity sense.
SSG xxx
Great to hear you’re loving life … and yoga, SSG!! 🙂 xox
Good post. I’m working on it. There are certain obligations that aren’t fun and are unavoidable, but when I’m not doing those, I’m having a pretty good time!
I’m very sorry for all that difficult loss you’re experiencing.
I hear you Lydia. There are always some things we have to do which aren’t enjoyable, but if we can keep our focus and energy on the good things, they will be what dominates our thoughts 🙂
Such a thought provoking post! I am definitely guilty of falling into ruts every now and then and just surviving rather than thriving and loving life! It’s time for me to sit back and reflect on what truly makes me happy and what does not and what I need to do about increasing the former and decreasing the latter!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Thanks Ingrid. I totally agree! 🙂
None of us know when our number is up and that is why it is so important to live our lives to the fullest extent. I have found since taking 7 months off to travel around Australia I feel much more content with my life and look for small blessings each and every day. I’m proud of both of my children and of what they have achieved and I’m proud of what I have achieved compared to where I was 4 years ago. I love spending time with my adult kids, long walks with our puppy, drinks and dinner with good friends and lots of laughs. Also, as you know, I love to travel and write about it! 🙂
You sound like you’re really loving life Kathy – that’s fabulous! 🙂 xox
Life is so short. My mum was only 54 when she passed away, too. I want to make an effort to live more and worry less!
So sorry to hear you lost your Mum at such a young age Amy. Life certainly is for living 🙂 x
Oh, you’ve been through such a rough time. My condolences to you and your sister. It does put your own life and your feelings towards how you’re spending it, in perspective though.
To answer your question, I think the one thing that I can do today to make my life better is to get out to a yoga class.
Thanks Kat. Yoga sounds like a great thing to do. Enjoy your day 🙂
This is a very good reminder Lyndall. I’m so sorry about the loss of your brother-in-law, and of course your Mum. I admit that throughout my life, I have done a lot of ‘existing’ and ‘surviving’ as there was a very busy period of life where I was on automatic pilot going through the daily treadmill of life at the time. I had a wake up call and now try to live more but I could do better. Today I have a hair appointment and that is something I do for myself and enjoy. I really need to find more time for photography – it’s been so neglected of late. #TeamLovinLife
So pleased to hear you’re taking some time out for yourself Min 🙂 xox
This is timely for me Lyndall as I’ve also been reflecting on life. We have just had my 90 year old MIL move to an aged care facility and her quality of life has improved dramatically because she is connecting with others. I’m 60 this year and because my parents and brother all died in their mid 60s I can’t help think that perhaps my time here is shorter than I think. Unfortunately, for the last 10 years we have been caring for my in-laws and I feel that even now my MIL is in aged care (my FIL passed away last year), we are still not living. Thank you so much for inspiring me to make a stand while I can.
Thanks Sue. So happy to be of assistance 🙂 x
So young – my sympathies to your family. You’re right though, life really is for living. I truly believe you only regret the opportunities you didn’t take to do more living.
I’m with you Jo. Life certainly is for living! 🙂
This happens to us too when people close to us pass away. Heck, I even read the obituaries daily just to realize that I need to enjoy every day.
That’s exactly the reason I retired earlier than planned (and am now blogging). Life is too short!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Great to hear you’re enjoying your early retirement Jodie – a big decision which sounds like it’s paid off 🙂
I have fallen into the trap of missing out on living in the “right now” – always working and worrying if our finances would see us through – what about retirement? etc etc. Now, not so much, I’ve realized life is short and if you don’t do some fun things now then it might be too late to do them down the track. I’m so sorry for the losses your family have experienced, but glad that it has reminded you to love the life you’re living xx
Thanks so much Leanne. Yes, time is fleeting and we never know how much time we have to do the things we enjoy 🙂
Some timely reminders, thank you 🙂 And I’m going to keep in mind your adage of “Are we just paying the bills before we die.” It’s so easy to get caught up in the mundane as if that defines us and the life we want to live. #teamlovinlife
So very true Jo 🙂 x
I am so sorry for the loss in your family. I think the hubster is a bit stuck in the “just paying bills until you die” mentality lately. 🙁
Yep, I have one of those too Janet, but I refuse to think that way all the time! 🙂 x
It’s hard not to let them drag you down though x
I totally agree! #MarriageChallenges 🙂 x
This is something I ponder a lot and I guess one of the reasons I did the whole seachange thing 4.5yrs ago. A few things had happened which give me pause for thought and I stopped and looked at my life and I was very much in ‘paying bills until I die’ mode.
I’m not sure I’m completely loving life yet but think I’m getting there. Thanks for such a thoughtful post.
So pleased to hear your sea change has helped you enjoy life a little more Deb 🙂
Oh wow, that is so sad! Only 54. Shit.
Your post couldn’t have come at a better time!
As you can see by my post this week, we’re lovin’ life
#TeamLovinLife
Yes Leanne, 54 is so very young to go. Makes you really think … none of us really know when our time will be up. That’s why lovin’ life is so important 🙂
It is such a challenge isn’t it to find that balance between just treading water and paying the bills and really loving life.
As you say life is short and we need to make sure we really do make the most of it.
xoxo
You’re so right Cat. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Good advice. I am guilty of forgetting to enjoy the little things. I am taking it on board and trying to find happiness in the little things each day.
Thanks Jan. It’s easy to forget little things, but it sounds like you’re on the right track to finding a slice of happiness each day 🙂