Life is Too Short to Waste So Start Living It Now
Photo by gaelenh
I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours” ~ Bernard Bereson
Life is too short.
But you knew that already, right?
It’s a basic truth waiting to be discovered by each one of us. A fundamental lesson that we all learn sooner or later.
Life is far too short to waste.
It races by unbelievably fast … and seems to pass even more quickly the older you get.
That’s why we need to make the most of every second, minute, and hour we have. It matters that you spend them in the best and fullest way possible. You deserve nothing less.
Perhaps you’ve not yet come to appreciate just how precious your time here really is.
Hopefully, when you do, it’ll make a huge difference to the way you live.
You see, while most of us know that life is too short, very few of us go that one step further and allow that powerful fact to guide our everyday living.
It’s only when you do this that you open up the potential for great things to happen in your life.
A Lesson It Took Nearly 20 Years to Learn
When I was 12 years old, I was rushed into hospital with a burst appendix.
As I was taken away to be operated on, the doctors said that I was very lucky. If I’d been even an hour later arriving in the Emergency Room, there would’ve been nothing they could’ve done to help me. The poison was spreading throughout my body. It was serious.
Thankfully, the medical team saved my life.
My recovery took over six weeks and I couldn’t do the things I’d normally get up to like going to school (hurray!) or playing with friends. All this was extremely difficult, confusing, and frightening for a boy who was still not even a teenager.
You’d think that such an intense ‘near miss’ experience would have drastically changed how I viewed life from then on; that I’d seized life and given it 110% ever since.
This wasn’t the case.
I guess I was too young back then to understand what had happened at a level I could make sense of. The following years came and went without me caring whether or not life was too short.
Then, when I turned 30, I finally got the message. Over the years in between, I’d become overweight, unfit, and unhappy with things. After a few weeks of asking myself some serious questions, I found the key to changing my life.
It was actually quite straightforward – it dawned on me again that life is too short to waste. Deep down, I knew that I was squandering my life by living in a way I wasn’t happy with. The two-decades-old lesson was sinking in at last.
With this refreshed attitude in mind, and along with a lot of hard work, I managed to revamp my lifestyle and improved my health and how I felt massively.
It might’ve taken all of 18 years to learn the lesson, but it finally hit home.
I’m sure you’ve got a variety of stories to tell of how you’ve come to appreciate that life should be grabbed with both hands. I’d love to hear them.
I’d like to share a few inspirational quotes in the hope that they’ll give you encouragement to get as much out of your life starting from now:
10 Quick But Meaningful Quotes to Help You Start Living Right Now
1. “Live every day as if it were your last and then some day you’ll be right.” ~ H.H. “Breaker” Morant
Far from being a sad and depressing attitude to have, admitting to yourself the reality that we will all have a ‘last day’ is incredibly liberating. You stop wasting time and begin to see both the meaningful and the trivial in a new light. If you let it, this new perspective can encourage you to spend your valuable time in more meaningful and satisfying ways.
2. “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” ~ Wayne Dyer
Don’t put off until tomorrow those things you should really be doing today. We can always come up with an excuse for not getting round to something we’d rather not face – for whatever reason. You delay because it’s too difficult, too emotional, or even too boring. While you hope you’ll get another day, you can never be sure. Deal with the really important stuff first, today if at all possible.
3. “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
Life may be too short, but you can pack a huge amount of good things into it if you try. It’s got nothing to do with age and everything to do with your attitude. A 25 year old can have many more worthwhile experiences in a shorter period than a 52 year old – and vice versa – if they’ve got a ‘live to the full’ mindset.
4. “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.” ~ John Burroughs
There is an endless number of things we especially want to do with our scarce time. However long we may think time stretches out before us, we usually find that there is never enough hours in the day to get round to them. Don’t let that put you off. Just go do as many as you can squeeze in!
5. “Begin doing what you want to do now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake.” ~ Marie Ray
Are you waiting for a better time to come along before you act? When you find yourself postponing those steps you want to take, think again: this moment could very well be your ideal chance to succeed.
6. “Life is always walking up to us and saying, “Come on in, the living’s fine,” and what do we do? Back off and take its picture.” ~ Russell Baker
Most of us would agree that it’s essential to put in all we have to get as much out of life as we can. But, in real life, many people don’t ever totally commit to doing this. It seems that we believe the notion of ‘maximum living’ is a no-brainer, but find it difficult to adopt for ourselves. Don’t wait on the sidelines of life looking on as a bystander – be an active participant.
7. “Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent.” ~ Samuel Johnson
Sometimes, we like to over-complicate and over-contemplate our lives to the point that we’re no longer able to see the obvious. Try not to think so much about what you should do or you’ll end up doing nothing. Be more spontaneous.
8. “You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you’re going to live. Now.” ~ Joan Baez
There are two options: You can either live life to the full or not live life to the full. It’s your call.
9. “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” ~ Author unknown
Far too many dreams go unfulfilled. Countless ambitions remain unexplored. Goals are left unachieved. All because those who had them never got round to doing anything. What a wasted opportunity. Never be that person who didn’t at least try.
10. “Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite. Or waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting.” ~ Dr. Seuss
As always, Dr. Seuss states it simply and puts it best: What exactly are you waiting for?
Life is too short.
It’s all so brief, and far too quick to pass.
There’s so much to experience but not nearly enough time to do it all.
You know all of this already, but do you live as if you do?
Why not start today?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.
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“If I knew then what I know now…” A phrase everybody can relate to as they grow up and older. The faster we learn the lessons, the better!
Hi Randy,
Yes, isn’t hindsight a fantastic thing (pity we can’t just have that knowledge now … it would save so much trouble!)
Thank you for sharing the quote with us.
Hi Scott,
I remember I had an appendix operation done around your age. But mine wasn’t burst, I discovered the pain quickly enough, alerted my parents and I had the operation done shortly after. Like you, I too couldn’t do the things that I normally took for granted. In a way it was like a sort of brush with death but I was too young to realize or remember.
I think it often takes a life and death situation to shock us out of our comfort zone to realize how little time we have here on Earth. But after that we need to continue keeping that spark of awareness alive. It is very easy for the mundaneness of life to overwhelm us and dull that awareness. Also, an experience tends to lose its power with time and familiarity. Such is the nature of things as we get used to them. One way of dealing with this is constant nourishment and reminders of how short life is through the things we read and watch.
In any case, I am glad that you have shared 10 meaningful quotes to start living right now. It helps to spread out our sources of inspiration so we have backups to fall back on as and when we need them. The following quotes stood out for me.
1. “Live every day as if it were your last and then some day you’ll be right.” ~ H.H. “Breaker” Morant
Whenever I read about military history or wars, I am reminded of life and death. I am reminded of how fragile life is and how everything can disappear in an instant. We do not have to experience life and death situations to live each day as if it were our last. Just by reading the stories of experiences of others in such a situation is a good substitute to keep up sharp and focused. Some of my most productive moments have come because I have focused on military history. It also helps to have grand strategy games to add variety to the mix. ;)
7. “Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent.” ~ Samuel Johnson
Thinking and planning has its time and place. But we must be careful not to overdo this because we will only get results when we act. As the old saying goes, fortune favours the bold.
Thank you for sharing this lovely article! :)
Irving the Vizier
Hi Irving,
The mundaness of life certainly can blunt our quest to do as much as we can with our lives. It’s easier sometimes to keep on with the flow we’re used to rather than change direction. Hopefully, there are many people out there who’ve realised that life is too short through quite ordinary, non-dramatic incidents!
I often think (!) that we can fall into the vicious circle of overthinking what we do. As you say, it’s sensible to think over our actions, but there always must come a time to act – or not act. Overthinking can drain the lifeblood out of achievement.
Many thanks for your ever insightful comment.
Good advice, Scott.
Count yourself as an intelligent person. I have had three near death experiences and it still took my hitting the big 60 to wake up. You did it in half the time!
Hi Steve,
I’m glad you got the message – even if it did take a few attempts to appreciate it!
Thank you for stopping by with your comment.
Scott,
Good article! I recently got a FAA type rating to fly a DC – 3 after training for a week in Florida. The particular plane I flew was built in WW II and even flew on D Day! Anyway, it reminds me to keep having more of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of experiences. Thanks again!
Kurt
Hi Kurt,
That sounds like an ambition fulfilled. I had a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the west coast of the USA once … and enjoyed it so much, I did it all again a few years later! Sometimes, once-in-a-lifetime is never enough ;-)
Many thanks for sharing that experience with us.
Hi Scott,
This is a great reminder that we all should try hard to seize each day. As much as we like to think it, there really is no guarantee a second chance will come along.
It’s an area where I struggle. On one side, I know how true it is that life should be lived to the full. On the other side, life gets in the way of me doing this! There’s always someone or something that comes along demanding all my attention. I get stuck right there and don’t get around to pursuing the things that would satisfy me. I really need to try harder to just go for it whatever other stuff distracts me.
Thanks also for the encouraging quotes.
Hi Julie,
You make a good point when you say that other things can distract us from living a full life – if we let them. Unfortunately, there will always be demands on our attention, but we can try to find a balance. We can view those distractions as being part of the flow which contributes to the ‘full live’ we talk about. Another approach is to develop even more determination not to be blown off course – as you are going to try.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Reading this, I’m reminded of a friend who started a bucket list of things she wanted to accomplish in life. The list included places to visit, new things to try – it was an exciting list and very inspirational.
The main point is that she began to work through her bucket list. Instead of just becoming a collection of dreams that never happened, she’s well on the way to doing most of her ambitions (she’s still working through it as we speak).
If we take the plunge and get out there, we’re going to be much more likely to achieve results and be closer to living the full life you talk about. Sitting back and waiting won’t make much happen. My friend has the right idea.
Hi Andrew,
Keeping a bucket list of things/ activities you really want to do in life is helpful – if it encourages you to go out and actually do them. Even if you don’t call it a ‘bucket list’, by working out those ‘must have’ goals and ambitions can focus your attention on what’s important to you.
Thank you for suggesting the idea.
Those quotes hit the mark, Scott, very fitting.
It’s hard to deny the fact that you only get out of life what you put in. If you expect to achieve anything you’ve got to plan on it taking at least some hard work.
I’ve learned this from my own experience. When I was younger I got more and more frustrated at the lack of anything concrete to show for all my efforts. I thought I was working hard, but didn’t get any desired results. After studying a course at college on entrepreneurship it became clear that I was only doing the basics. That’s why I wasn’t getting the results I wanted.
I learned how to turn strategy into action which is just the same as living a full life. We might all think we know what this means but it’s only when we carefully plan out our goals and actions that it materializes. It works for me.
PS I love the simple wisdom of Dr Seuss too :)
Hi Amanda,
Anything worth achieving is going to involve your time and effort – possibly lots of it. Of course, you might get satisfactory results by putting in the bare minimum, but is that enough for you? Especially when great results are waiting for the sake of more than the basics. Planning our goals is a key part of being able to reach them, whereas overplanning can get in the way of action.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
I wrecked my car when I was sixteen and became brain damaged. Luckily, I healed, but to me it became the best excuse in the world for testing my limits. If I could rewire my brain; come back from a place where I couldn’t feed myself, what else could I do, and what was holding me back? I realized that the worst possible outcome for me would be the realization that I allowed my fear to keep me from testing my assumptions. I’m not an adrenaline junkie, I just like a challenge. I don’t play chicken with trains, but I do push boundaries and I am proud to say that my 25th birthday is next week, and I have done more living in my quarter century than many have done in 3/4 of a century.
And if you’re older, and you look at me and still feel wistful and stuck, perhaps you could take a look at your children and realize that the absolute best thing you could do for them is to show them how to live life to its fullest. Maybe that will help you get over the hump. You don’t want them to be in your shoes someday, do you?
Hi Shanna,
Your experience is a real-life example of someone realizing that life is for living as fully as possible. We all have setbacks (some lesser, some major) which can affect our ‘go getting spirit’ for good or for bad. I greatly admire how you learned that nothing can hold you back … unless you allow it to. It’s a fantastic philosophy to have!
I’m so grateful to you for sharing what happened to you, as well as your attitude towards life. I’m sure others will be inspired when they read your comment.
This post has come at exactly the right time for me. I’ve been feeling quite down and demoralized as I watch opportunities pass me by. I now realize that all along it’s been ME who’s allowed these chances to slip through my fingers- I can’t blame anyone else. It’s up to me to take action.
It’s easy for me to get stuck in ruts, be it in relationships, at work or in how I spend my leisure time. In many areas I’ve settled for the safest and easiest options.
Shanna’s story above has really made me think about my attitude.
Thanks, Steph. I appreciate it.
Hi Steph,
I’m really pleased that you found the article helpful.
We all get stuck in ruts at various times, so don’t be hard on yourself. The trick is to work out why this happens and prevent it happening. You seem to have given your situation quite careful consideration, and that’s the first step in deciding what you need to do to change it. Please let us know how you get on.
Hi Scott,
I love, love, love the first quote! Someone is begging for time not money! For me life is to short to spend it hooked up to technology 24/7. I don’t want to live life chasing some fame or dream. I’d rather take one day at a time and live the journey. I’m going to Atlanta to celebrate Memorial Day with a daughter. Then to MI to help my sister with her youngest duaghter’s graduation party from high school. Flying to Seattle to run a 1/2 marathon. Hubs, 2 grandchildren and another daughter coming to watch. In between I have something to offer and blog about. Great post. I like the way you commented after each quote.
Hi Tess,
“I’d rather take one day at a time and live the journey.” I really like that way of thinking. It could be a slogan for maximum living … that you don’t merely want to ‘travel’ or ‘make’ the journey, but instead to go all out to live and experience it.
Your time is certainly well filled – I’m sure the variety is a great source of inspiration and fulfillment.
Thank you for stopping by with your thoughts.
Life is short but it is also long.
If you charish each moment life is long.
If you take time to spend it with people you love, it is long.
If you spend it doing things you love, life is very long.
It is all about mindset.
If you do what you do not like, life is short.
Hi Daniel,
Definitely so … our own perspective will make us see whether our lives are well lived, and filled with things that excite and inspire us.
Many thanks for your angle on the subject.
I think people get overwhelmed by the idea that the decisions they make are FOREVER. I find I end up getting the most from my days when I focus on what I can do next, right now, today to live fully.
Hi Miss Britt,
It can be daunting to think too far into the future. A long-term view can be helpful but the downside is that we become nervous about committing ourselves for too long. Your ‘what can I do next?’ attitude helps us go right ahead and do those things that matter. It’s often the little, spontaneous actions that have the biggest impact.
Thank you for leaving your thoughts.
Since having my own brush with death in 2002, people have commented that I do tend to have an attitude that seems a little flippant sometimes, in its enthusiasm. Throwing oneself into life can be exhausting!! It’s probably the greatest wake-up call possible- after which, the expression “Live every day like it’s your last” takes on a whole new meaning. I’m doing it and anyone else can too
Hi John,
Living enthusiastically is a goal for many folk – some people will support you, while others will urge caution. Telling other people about your own experience will help them understand why you are so passionate in the way you live life.
Many thanks for adding your comment to the discussion.
Hi,
Thank you for bringing us this thoughtful post today.I enjoyed reading the inspiring stories from your other readers.
I’m thinking that, for me, the main aim should be to get myself more ready to take the steps Ineed to experience a more fulfilling life. Right now, I’m not even ready to do the kind of things I have to – so I end up doing nothing and remain stuck in a rut.
After that comes actually making it happen! At least this is a start.
Hi Thomas,
Getting yourself ready to take action goes a long way to help you actually taking that first, important step. I’m pleased you’ve decided what you need to do to begin your own journey – please let us know how you get on.
Hello,
You write: “Life races by unbelievably fast … and seems to pass even more quickly the older you get.” How true!!
When younger, my tendency was to drift without direction between jobs and interests. I lived well but didn’t achieve much of significance. Now I’ve reached my older years I have a determination to live well – but to a plan. There is much I want to do so it is best that I be organized. It is exciting- and also a little scarey. But good things happen when you try.
Hi Helene,
The best thing is that there are no age restrictions to living a full life. Both the young and the old can do it. It can be a little scary as you set out, but the sense of fulfillment you’ll get will no doubt overcome these fears. All the best with your new attitude!
Thank you for leaving your helpful comment.
I enjoyed the lovely quotes and stories in this post.
I can see why some people might regard this topic as sad and depressing. If we can help it, none of us likes to think about the precious time we waste on trivial and unimportant things. Unfortunately, we can never replay or get time back :(
On the other side, I personally find the topic inspiring and motivating. I’d so much rather question whether I am living fully than ignore it. What a wasted opportunity to change things that would be.
Hi Jackie,
If someone feels that that time is passing by without being used well, it’s a brilliant idea to take stock. This needn’t be a downbeat exercise … quite the opposite, in fact. Giving yourself the chance to increase your enjoyment and satisfaction with life is a very positive thing you can do for yourself.
Many thanks for adding your voice to the discussion.
Hi Scott,
You’ve mentioned that living to our fullest potential is all about our mindset. I agree, but I also believe that it’s possible to develop this. Just because a person wasted past chances to really live a fantastic life in no way means that it can’t ever be done.
I used to be very bad at doing things to improve my enjoyment of life and, deep down, I knew I could (and should) have been doing so much more. I slowly started to test myself and tried out new activities. It became easier to widen my experiences. I also got more satisfaction with how I was living.
I just want to reassure your readers that you don’t need to be trapped in a rut. Life is for living, and don’t let your current mindset limit you when it can be changed.
Hi Russell,
As you suggest, everything we do begins with how we think about it – call it your attitude, your way of thinking or your mindset. And these aren’t set in stone. It’s perfectly possible to change your mindset if you want to. With a new mindset, you can break free of any rut.
I appreciate you telling of your own experiences in this area. I’m sure it will help other readers.
Oh, Scott, it’s so true. People spend so much time worrying about the past or wondering about the future instead of living in the now.
Hi Amy,
Strange as it may sound, very few people are able to live completely in the present. We tend to look back at things we have or haven’t done or else we look ahead to the stuff we will or won’t do. And, we lose the important part in the middle – simply experiencing now as fully as we can.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s great to see you here!
Whilst I agree whole-heartedly with almost all of the sentiments here – it’s all tremendously inspiring stuff – there’s one point I don’t agree with. I’m not sure that a FULL life is necessarily the same as the BEST life….
So many people these days are busy chasing goals and achievements, having meaningful relationships, and cramming their leisure time full of activities…all great but my happiest week this year was a week on a silent retreat.
It’s difficult to explain but I think sometimes you can live a life that is SO full that it passes you by without you even realising it. Taking time out to breathe, to appreciate what you’ve got and to enjoy the moment is so valuable.
I have almost stopped setting goals for myself. I still think about how to use each minute of every day to get the most out of it but sometimes getting the most of time means, for me at least, leaving it completely empty and doing nothing at all!
Hi Jen,
You make a very interesting point here – whether living a full life is the same as living your best life. I agree that there is a difference.
I was thinking more of a full life as being one where we do as wide a variety of things with it that we can over a lifetime, rather than it meaning to be constantly busy or cramming too much into it. Though, I guess that for some folk a busy life will represent their best life, others will see a jam-packed life as a living nightmare.
Rather than equating a ‘full’ life with our best life, maybe it’s more helpful to look on it as aiming to live a ‘fulfilling’ life. This will be different for each one of us. Doing nothing can indeed be the best way to spend some of our time!
As for goal setting, I’ve never been one for the relentless pursuit of goals. An obsession with goals means you turn every endeavour into a results-driven activity. Pretty soon, you’re likely to suffer from goal overwhelm when you simply can’t cope with the amount you’ve set for yourself.
That said, I think that some degree of goal setting will naturally creep into life. It’s a useful way of trying to plan and work towards something you want to achieve. We don’t need to set a lot of goals to get the results we want – often a few, well-focussed goals can get us there with less stress.
Everyone’s approach to goals will be different and entirely personal (and some folk may choose not to have any goals at all, though I’m not too sure that would be all that fulfillling a life to lead!). What matters is finding an approach to goals – or ‘no goals’ – that works for yourself.
Thank you for sharing your point of view – it’s much appreciated.
Hi Scott!
Hmmm. I don’t know who you are. You are adorable. I do not remember how I came upon you. I do know that now is the right time to have found you. There are times that we all find people that we desperately need, they just simply happen.
Two Wednesday’s ago I brought my mother to the emergency room for the second time that week. (She is okay). I already knew that it would be another entire day of getting care for her. I stood in the Emergency Room lobby demanding care for her and I completely broke. I could not talk to the personnel through my sobs and tears. I began to wonder who needed the gurney more. Me or my mother. I turned my back on the others in the waiting area and cried. I knew that she would be okay there if I stepped outside. I went to park my car. I did not know if I could complete the simple task of driving my car and parking it. I sobbed all the way to the parking space. I sat and cried in my car for awhile. Then I called my brother. “I cannot do this”!
My “list” right now is soooo long and so disgusting, it is repulsive. I simply want to be happy. Is there something wrong with being happy? What kind of daughter would I be if I only thought of myself?
A healthy daughter. That is what I would be. I have been sad for ever so long.
I turned off the radio.
Stopped answering the phone.
Pulled the shades on the front windows.
I decided I would talk to no one.
Sounds frightening. She is withdrawing into her own little world.
Nope. I have started peeling back all the layers of sadness. Everything! I looked at all that I was worrying about. Did I mention my list is completely gross? I began to tell myself, they will be okay without me. Further, I am completely worthless as I am sobbing out of control. If the world was going to blow up, there is no way I am going to be able to save it.
I played my favorite music. I told my husband that I loved him beyond anything that I could ever imagine. I went outside and dug my fingers deep into the soil and planted flowers and tomatoes. And there were no rules on time. The plants got planted when they got planted. The dust will be there tomorrow (promise). I began again doing the things that I love. I started to find my happiness again. I know that I have a lot of healing to do. I see that I have been sick for a very long time. In the very moment that someone or something steps in (I call it sabotage, yes it is that bad) that takes my happiness away, I simply say no. Just because the phone rings, does not mean I have to answer it.
I did not come here to plead for help in healing. Well, okay, yes, just a little. I came here to tell others: watch out for the sabotage. Don’t take on anything unless you can say it makes you happy. Don’t let others sneak up behind you and make you responsible for their lives. There are no deep hidden meanings here in my comment. I look around me now, quite a bit less shaken, more stirred. I see all of the “projects” I picked up to work on, the stuff that makes me happy, the stuff that I have put off for . . . for others. I am returning home to them now. I am coming back to happiness and I will fight for it for the rest of my life. Yesterday I must have spent an hour on Skype with my son in Iraq (I know, I already told you my list sucks), my mother rang up on the phone, and, I didn’t answer the call. I am happy.
Go on get the hell out of here – really, everyone, you have too much happiness to find – GO!
Oh, one more thing, could you please pray for my son in Iraq, and for the troops serving with him. They really need it right now.
Loving life!
Tami
Hi Tami,
I was really moved when you said “I started to find my happiness again”. That shows courage to move from the present into a more positive future. It’s a journey most people strive to make, despite setbacks. There are many things that can sabotage the search for happiness – if we let them – and it’s good to be aware of them. Then, we can try to limit their impact.
Thank you for sharing your experiences in such an honest way – I’m certain others will gain huge inspiration from what you say.
Hi Scott
Ever since I’ve been a teen I’ve had a * live for now attitude *. My mom would probably say I was born that way as I was forever getting into trouble for living on the edge.
As I grew up, I found myself losing the kind of outlook you write about. This was mostly down to family and friends telling me to slow down. Over recent years I rediscovered a more mellow attitude where I make sure those things that shouldn’t wait, don’t wait.
No-one can live their whole life in one day. It’s all about balancing what we should do today with what we can do tomorrow.
Hi Phil,
Most folk have a million and one things they’d like to do in a day – but there never seems to be enough time. Not everything needs to be done today. Leaving them aside until tomorrow really won’t make much difference.
However, there are much more important issues we might need to deal with as soon as possible. These are mostly to do with the fundamental way we approach life and our relationships.
Many thanks for sharing your experiences. It sounds as if your mother might’ve had her work cut out looking after you when you were younger! ;-)
Love these quotes. Some of my faves in there also. Life is too short and as long as we’re moving forward, we’re heading in the right direction.
Hi Gabrielle,
I’m glad you enjoyed the quotes – they really make us stop and think, don’t they? Life moves ever onwards … despite one or two steps backwards from time to time!
Thank you for leaving your thoughts.
Thanks for the amazing post. That Dr. Suess quote moves me. It makes me want to stop waiting. It’s time to do it now. It’s time to do whatever we want to now. Start slowly, one step at a time, but START.
Hi Matt,
I love the Dr Seuss quote too … it’s usually the most simple view that speaks the truth loudest, don’t you find?
We can all have our own epic journey in life, but it can only come about when we step out and start.
I’m delighted the article moved you – thank you for letting me know.
This post has come just at the right time for me. I’ve been thinking a lot about this recently as I’ve been getting over an illness. For a few months, thoughts about how much I haven’t been going after opportunities have played on my mind. So many have slipped through my fingers.
Now that I’m recovering, there’s a new inner voice inside urging me never to let a golden opportunity pass by. If I want happiness I MUST go after it. This is a wonderful philosophy!
Hi Juliette,
I’m so pleased to hear your getting over your illness.
Opportunities are a little like gold dust – they can be valuable but not always easy to hold in our hands. Some opportunities we go after, while many we miss out on. It’s very encouraging that you’ve decided to follow your ‘inner voice’ that bit more. I’m sure there will be many rewards for doing this.
Thank you for telling us about the lessons you’ve learned – through both the ups and downs.
Hello Scott,
A dear friend emailed me this article as she knows I need encouragement.
For reasons I won’t go into right now, I’ve been feeling pretty low.
Joan Baez’s quote (#8) spoke loudest to me. We truly never know when our time here will be cut short. That’s a loud call to anyone who might be taking things for granted.
Thank you.
Jean
Hi Jean,
I do hope you start feeling better soon. I agree with you completely … we tend to take many things for granted. Things like good health and good relationships must always be fully appreciated. The value of these things is easy to forget but they can rarely be replaced when they’ve gone.
I’m grateful to you for sharing your thoughts here today.
Hi Scott,
I grew up on an 88 produce farm, always working in the fields or at the Farmers Market. I’m visiting two of my daughters in Michigan and the blueberries are ripe in the fields.We took the three grandchildren and went and picked in the early morning sun at a U-pick farm. Surprising the two teenagers had the most fun. They live in a big city and had never been to a blueberry farm before, they each picked 5 lbs. I could have been checking emails or writing a guest post but instead I feel like we seized the day. Smoothies are swirling in the blender and everyone is smiling. Sometimes life needs to be enjoyed with all electronics put away! Love your quotes
Hi Tess,
Fresh blueberry smoothies sound like an excellent reward for a day spent outside with your family! It would have been all-too-easy to have chosen to be busy with routine business … but think of the satisfying day you had by seizing those precious moments. Emails can wait.
I appreciate your reminder that it’s the simplest pursuits – those activities we usually take for granted – that really matter.
Hey Scott
From you: “most of us know that life is too short, very few of us go that one step further and allow that powerful fact to guide our everyday living.”
You’ve got it in one. I bet if you ask anyone whether they feel they should be ‘seizing the day’, 100% would agree. But ask them what they are doing to make the most of today and I guess few would be doing something to really show this. This applies to me as much as anyone. I’ve got the attitude that it doesn’t matter if I don’t do that special thing today: I can always try tomorrow.
An inspiring list of quotes by the way- makes me want to go out and do something important :)
Hi Alex,
Unfortunately, there’s a world of difference between ‘thinking’ an attitude and actually living it out in practice. Usually the reality only hits home when we’re faced with an event that rocks our complacency – or someone close to us faces a challenge to their ‘thinking’.
How we translate the ‘live life to the full’ attitude into each of our daily lives will be for us to decide as individuals. But, I guess, the key is to at least try to some degree.
I appreciate you leaving your comment. And – yes! – go forth and do something extremely important today :-)
Thank you so much for giving a wonderful article. Inspires me a lot to live life with lots of colors and happiness.It’s time to do it now. Live your life every moment.
Hi Ashok,
Well said! The time is now to do what you really want to.
Thank you for stopping by – and for leaving your comment.
I totally get what you’re saying here, Scott.
My brother died last year after a short illness. Throughout that period he spoke of the things that he wished he’d done but wouldn’t get the chance. I vowed to learn from his experience and to grab my life with both hands. Every day, I try to put this attitude into action.
Hopefully, others will do this (or try to) as well.
Hi George,
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. It’s a wonderful and fitting tribute to your brother that you’re aiming to ‘seize the day’. Learning through the (sometimes sad) experience of others is often the best way we can show the impact they have on our own lives.
Thank you for sharing your moving story with us.
Being a teacher, I remember that Dr. Seuss quote about what are we waiting for. As you hit the decade milestones in your life, it does occur to you that you cannot go back, only forward and time is limited. Take your trips, see your friends, read, play, enjoy life while your can. Good topic!
Hi Cathy,
Certainly – significant events cause us to review our past achievements and reflect on what we still want to do. There always seems to be less and less time to do more … so it’s best to get started straightaway!
Thank you for joining in the conversation.
Thanks for this great post a really lovely positive read for someone i=who is a little bit lost at the moment. These sort of posts are what keeps me going sometimes and turns me around to carry on. thanks again xxx
Hi Chris,
I’m really pleased that the article has encouraged you today. We can all feel a little lost sometimes.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Stick in there.
Its so funny how when i look back in my life – so few moments really count and they are very rarely the ones that pandered to my ego. It’s usually those simple times which we take for granted, like spending time with friends, having a brisk walk with a loved one, of just having a great time with the family.
It really amazes me how much time we waste, i say this, but i am not one to judge – god knows i have spent countless hours in front of a TV or doing some useless task, only to never get them back. One thing i did realize is when your life is more fulfilling and live in the moment, you feel better about yourself. Stress is not likely, you are happier, and content, yet why do we chase after things and experiences that add no value to our life?
Thanks for bringing this topic to light Scott!
Hi Sanjaya,
I agree that so much of our precious time is frittered away doing things that don’t count. It’s ok to watch tv, but the temptation can be to switch off our brains and sit back and zone. Unless we engage consciously and creatively with what we’re doing, it’s mind numbing. That can be fine for short bursts but it’s a pretty useless way to spend a few hours.
Many thanks to your for sharing your thoughts.
- Sanjaya
“It’s usually those simple times which we take for granted, like spending time with friends, having a brisk walk with a loved one, of just having a great time with the family.”
You got it brother, couldn’t have said it better myself!
Thanks so much for this post, reading things like this makes the mornings and ultimately the days so much better and more productive.
Hi Zachary,
That’s great to hear – I’m delighted the article has boosted your day! Thank you for your comment.
very inspiring yet i am still having problems with my life…it just feels like i am in a wrong place with wrong people around me right now , but i want to get out and yet i can’t bec they are my family… one more, about doing what u really like to do, this is a cliche story of someone being forced to take a job u dont want to do just for the benefit of earning more money than what u really wanted to do… its really a hard feeling, i am sure this is not the job i want to do until i retire, but until when will i endure it ?
Hi Ren,
It could be that the things that seem wrong just now will seem right sometime in the future. I’ve discovered that when I’m unhappy with one area of my life, it has a knock-on effect in other areas. It’s not easy to think that rough times will pass when you’re in the middle of a down period – but they do.
I understand what you’re saying about feeling your stuck in a job you don’t like. Perhaps there are ways you can get involved in other activities at work which you would enjoy?
Have you an idea of what you would like to do? What skills or qualifications might you need to work in this area? Try to find the possibilities in doing new things, or ways you can get beyond the dead end you feel you’ve reached at this point in time.
I’d like to thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.
Hi Scott. I don’t have any regrets in my life. I believe whatever has happened to me, happened for a reason. It made me stronger, wiser, and much kinder person.
The only regret that I have is that why didn’t I found your blog sooner? :) Looking forward to reading more from you. Cheers :)
Marya
Hi Marya,
You’re right … our past experiences, both the good and the bad, make us who we are today. The tough stuff makes us grow stronger, the easy things bring us relief.
Thank you for the lovely comment – it’s great to welcome you here!
“Life is for the living” I remind me self of this whenever my kids ask me “mom can I go with my best friend and their family to their cottage for a week” or “my high school is hosting our first dance and I am not sure if I want to go”, I encourage my kids to live their lives. I think that life is to be explored and experienced not something that should just rudely pass us by.