Everyday is a Gift, Open and Enjoy It

There is a bottle of perfume sitting on my dresser that I was given when I was ten years old! As you can tell I have pack rat tendencies! For me that pattern started as a young child. I could never bear to throw things away. There was more to it than not wanting to throw things away. I loved the feeling I had when I would receive something new, and would not want to spoil it by using it unless it was for something special. I would want to save it for a special occasion. A new dress would sit in the closet, until a special event to wear it. Perfume would sit on my dresser, not to be used for everyday, but for a special 'something'. This was a pattern in my life for many years.

Perhaps, however, this is not the best perspective to view life. It is reminiscent of the woman on the Titanic, who when was being lowered into the lifeboat said?"If I'd known this was going to happen I would have had that Chocolate Mousse dessert." It is a view of life that speaks a lie. The belief is that if I enjoy something now, I won't be able to look forward to anything good like that in the future. This belief steals the joy from living in the present, and also lies about what the future might hold. Often it takes sad or traumatic situation to cause a person to stop and take stock their life's perspective and lifestyle. For example, let me tell you how it happened for Ruth.

One day, out of the blue, Ruth got one of those devastating 'phone calls' that we all dread receiving. Her sister Jane had passed away unexpectedly. Ruth went over to the home to help her brother in law with the sad task of preparation for the funeral. They were in the bedroom deciding on clothes Jane would wear as she was laid to rest. He pulled out of the drawer some beautiful lingerie wrapped in tissue. Ruth gasped as she saw the astronomical cost on the price tag. "Jane bought this in Paris 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. I guess this is it." he said. It was exquisitely, handmade in silk, with a delicate cobweb of lace .As he slammed the drawer shut he said something that changed Ruth's life for ever. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion!

After the funeral, Ruth began to evaluate her life from a different perspective. She began to see life as something to be enjoyed not endured. Ruth started to make changes, although small at first, for Ruth they had great significance. She sat in the garden more and didn't worry about the weeds. She wore expensive perfume on ordinary days, after all co workers and cashiers have noses that function just as well as party goers! She lit that candle that had been sitting as a centre piece on the dining room table collecting dust. She got that cracked window fixed, that she'd been meaning to do for years. She invited those friends round for dinner that she'd seen at the last sixteen weddings, and said we must get together.

Ruth determined that she would live each day as if it was her last. Now every morning when Ruth opens her eyes, she tells herself that this day is special. Every day, every breath, every minute of her life is truly a gift from God.

Your life perspective changes when you start living each day as if it was your last. You start to look at all the things that you want to accomplish in life and actually get started!! You stop watching everyone else doing it. Have the courage to start thinking "It's my turn now" and do what is in your heart.

Grandma Moses began a painting career at age seventy six. Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969 at age seventy one.Lucy is in her eighties and has in the last two years, been white-water rafting, and hiking in the Himalayas. She is excitedly planning her next trip!

Don't wait years, or until something traumatic happens to get your attention. Start now to reflect on your life's perspective and begin living without regrets.

Peter Sage, speaker and entrepreneur said:

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow - What a Ride!"

Barbara White is President of Beyond Better Development, which is dedicated to empower people towards excellence in their personal and professional development. The Living Beyond Better website has more self improvement resources

---

Sixty-Second Caring

"How are you doing?" you ask. There's a pause before the reply. "You don't really want to know." The eyes look down. The body language says, "If... Read More

Three Bricklayers

The story of the three bricklayers has been around for many years. The reason it continues to be told is the messages that the story tells. The... Read More

Breaking Through Uncertainty - Welcoming Advertisty

We all question our ability at times. Uncertainty plagues us. It is even more intense if the ability we are questioning relates to something we have never... Read More

Why Should We Keep Our Thoughts Clear?

From my experience some healings come instantly or during short period of time as others require patience, persistence and firmness of our faith. Even though faith in... Read More

Who Are The Underminers?

How many of you had the experience growing up of being told in various ways to limit yourselves from being all you can be? The movie "The... Read More

The Power Of A Dream - Success Always Start Off With A Dream

Back in the good old days of school, the teachers would often catch us for daydreaming in class and not paying attention. "Stop dreaming! Dreaming will get... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt ....Part 6

Continued....I have since grown a lot. I have grown through God's help and Jesus's love. My sister and my dad made up. My dad lived the rest... Read More

Go Where No Man Or Woman Has Gone Before

"It`s life Jim but not as we know it." -SpockIn Corrogue there is a starry, starry night.This evening the night sky is so very clear and full... Read More

The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

In America, we have a saying: The finer things in life. These are the things that most people talk about when they are speaking of thing of... Read More

Virtual Chocolate

A second on your lips forever on your hips never happens with virtual chocolate. Chocolate begins from a seed. A cacao seed. It is then fermented, roasted,... Read More

Do You Pay For Services Out of Obligation or Appreciation?

Have you ever paid for services rendered with a strong sense of appreciation, yet you weren't aware of the impact you had on the person who received... Read More

Starting A New Disaster Relief Program

I believe that it is an amazing time in our history. Mankind is truly showing his/her capabilities, they are observable because all thoughts are brought into physical... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Retire Retirement

1. Retire the word "retirement" from your vocabulary. Look it up: it means to "withdraw" or "retreat." Words can shape reality, and it's time for this one... Read More

The 5 Fortunes Within

What could be nearer to us than our own selves. What could be a greater fortune to discover than our own love. When you can accept yourself... Read More

Your World Your Way - Trusting Yourself In Business

"It doesn't interest me who you are, or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the... Read More

Create Your Way Out of It

When life has you feeling less than happy, and you would like to see things different than they are, here are some tips that can help you.I... Read More

Iron Man Inspiration - Raise The Ceiling On What You Can Achieve

The Florida Iron Man involves swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles. It is one of the toughest sporting competitions in the world.Many people,... Read More

The Shoemaker and the Brat

At seventeen years old, I was a brat. A mixture of innocence, immaturity and righteousness. And I carried that attitude with me everywhere, including my trip to... Read More

A Cat In The Hand Is Worth Two Birds In The Bush!

I bought this computer just over two years ago with my first venture into the world of credit cards. I'm a mature woman and have seen and... Read More

Control Your Own Destiny

"You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather... Read More

Go Between

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 16, 2003I enjoy reading your column every week. I want to tell you about a family problem I... Read More

Playing With Fire

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 21, 2002I am a stay-at-home mom, 24, married to my husband, 26, for six years. He has a... Read More

The Creative Evolution of Intellectual Properties: The Royal Critters/Whale Magic (TM) Project

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!The moral of that story is to follow your instincts and intuition and don't let others or society judge or label you.You see, my child-spirit... Read More

Ignorance and Fantasy

Are beliefs not often the children of ignorance and fantasy? Consider the heavenly view of the world that young souls entertain at the height of their innocence,... Read More

Have a Green Day, Every Day!

Green symbolises growth. Growth requires change and transformation. This article will help you reach your maximum potential. You can have a green day, every day!Have you ever... Read More

The Road Not Taken

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 24, 2003My husband cheated on me for maybe five years, and yes, I really had no idea. The... Read More