I've kinda been MIA for the past few weeks. My Dad passed away last month after a week-long fight for his life in the ICU. So my time has been consumed with the obvious things, as well as supporting my Mom as she figures out how to "do life"
by herself. She and my dad celebrated their 50th anniversary the day my dad went into the hospital, so she's got a lot of relearning to do.
God's timing is amazing, though, I have to say. Months ago, we'd planned an all-family vacation, the dates of which coincided with his admission to the hospital. So he was surrounded by his entire family, and we all got to say goodbye. It wasn't how any of us had planned to spend our vacation, but I'm so glad the family
could be together during this incredibly difficult time.
So I don't have an article for you today, just a few Life Lessons I was reminded of through this experience.
Life is short. Too short. And unpredictable. The day before my Dad was admitted to the ICU, he was walking around like normal. It all happened so fast. So hold your loved ones close. Tell them that you love them. Forgive people for the ways they've hurt you - for your own
sake. Because life is too short to carry around bitterness and anger.
Tell
yourself that you love you. And forgive
yourself for all the ways you've screwed up. Do whatever work you need to do to reconcile your past so you can live fully in the present and have the impact you were created to have. (
Contact me if you want structure and support for that journey.) Because life is too short for regrets and self-loathing.
Be brave. My mom, the ultimate technophobe who couldn't even check her voice mail 2 weeks ago, is now learning how to use a smart phone and a computer. She's a walking example of Brave, and every step she takes shows her how strong she really is. In the words of A.A. Milne, "You're braver than you
believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." So take the chance. Do the things that scare you. Stop sabotaging yourself with self-doubt, and just do it. Because life is too short for doubt, fear, and worry.
Be yourself. Stop living other people's dreams. Stop living according to other people's expectations, and stop caring so much about what other people think of you. Be YOU. Full out. Life is too short to hide or
pretend.
It seems weird for me to get back to "business as usual" after an event like this, but life goes on, and I believe that we honor our loved ones by living our calling and impacting the world the way we're meant to. Besides, I owe it to you to continue to serve you, no matter what's going on in my neck of the woods. So in the next few days, I'll tell you about some fabulous gifts for truly Empowered Living. And I'll continue sending you tips and strategies to
rediscover your radiance and be your most Radiant Self.
Till then...
