Do you remember the old Emergency Broadcast Announcement, the one with the horrible
beeping sound that tells you "had this been an actual emergency, you would have been
instructed where to go and..."
A few years ago, there was something similar making the rounds on
the Internet. It went something like this. "This life is a test. It is only a test.
Had this been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what
to do..."
It would be nice if life came with instructions on where to go and what to do. But it
doesn't.
And yet, so many people go through life as if they're waiting for
instructions, or for their "real" life to begin. You'll hear people say things
like "When I lose 20 pounds, I'm going to..." or, "When I've got enough
money, then I'm going to..." It's as if they've put their life on hold, waiting for
everything to be perfect, before they start actually living it!
But this life isn't a test, or a rehearsal, or a game. When it's
finished you don't get a "do over." This is it.
Don't waste another minute of your life! Instead of waiting until things are perfect, or
for "someday" to arrive, start enjoying yourself now!
Not sure what to do?
Make a "What I want to do Before I die" list. When
you're starting your list, it doesn't matter how wild and crazy your dreams are! So if
you've always wanted to take up scuba diving, or you want to make a million dollars or
even sing in front 10,000 people -- write it down.
Think about everything that you really want -- the things that would make you feel special
or loved, or important. The things you've been meaning to get around to doing, but for one
reason or another, just haven't done. The secret dreams that have been hiding in a tiny
corner of your heart.
The important thing here is figure out exactly what it is you want.
Writing the things down, gives them form and shape and power.
After you've written them down, prioritize the list. What things
are on that list that are the most important to you? If you found out that you were going
to die next year, or next week, or tomorrow, what would you want to do before it happens?
Don't be surprised if your list is very long. You've probably
been denying yourself for a while now, because "life" got in the way of
"living."
If you're like most people,
you'll find there are some things on your list that are very simple, and easy to do. Maybe
you like feeling spoiled by having your first cup of coffee in bed every morning. Or maybe
you only use grandma's "company" dishes during special occasions, but you love
them. Or maybe your list includes things like telling the people you love that they matter
to you.
Whatever is on your list, whatever dreams and desires are in your
heart, what are you waiting for? Set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier, and enjoy your
coffee in bed. If you want to learn to salsa dance, but you're waiting until you lose
fifteen pounds -- remember that salsa dancing is a great form of exercise -- and just do
it!
When you give yourself permission to start living your life,
amazing things start to happen! You may find yourself going through a "lucky"
streak. Opportunity starts knocking at your door on a regular basis. And you may even find
that the stress and strain you were under has lifted. Things look brighter, and you feel
happier.
Don't throw your list away -- in fact, keep it handy and add to
it as you think of new dreams, new goals. Because as you begin to live the life you were
meant to live -- a life that's worth living -- you may just find that you need a new sheet
of paper!
