Seize The Day

I was recently bereaved.

My father passed away 2 weeks ago. It was very sudden and completely unexpected.

I like to think I'm a positive person and I try to treasure every day, but my dad's death reminded me that we truly never know how long we are here for.

In fact, friends of my father were laughing and joking with him an hour before his passing.

I don't write this to depress anyone, just to highlight how the present moment is all we have.

And yet so many people are living lives that don't excite them, waiting for something better to come around the next corner, thinking a pay rise or promotion however many months down the line will make up for them doing a job they dislike.

It doesn't work that way.

No amount of money can make you feel passionate about a job you don't care about, just like marrying a wealthy person you don't love is rarely a recipe for Happy Ever After.

If you're waiting for tomorrow in any area of your life, you need to realise that tomorrow may not arrive. You have today, you have right now, and that's all you need.

Life is short.

So call your family often.

Send cards for no reason.

Be excited to get out of bed each morning.

Chase your passion, not your pension.

Laugh.

Dance.

Be the first to apologise.

Don't go to bed angry.

Take more photographs.

Start a business, or career, that you will be passionate about.

Turn the TV off and talk as a family instead.

Realise how beautiful you are.

Eat your vegetables.

Lay off the salt.

Give to charity.

Take the scenic journey.

And remember, every single minute that passes is 60 seconds never to return.

Are you spending your time wisely? Or are you waiting for some signal to begin the life you want?

If you're waiting - just think of my father, who no doubt thought he had many more tomorrows still to come. Take that as your signal. Please.