Make the most of the time we are given
Three years ago, I lost one of my best friends to glioblastoma – she was only 53; that was a big blow to her family, and to us, her friends. This week, a cousin of mine died from heart attack – he was only 55. It was so sudden. It is so sad. I spent a lot of my younger years with him - we had a lot of good times together, along with our other cousins.
I constantly think about this beautiful life we have, but I have been thinking so much about it these past few days. Again, I am reminded that life is truly fleeting. This month alone, two friends lost their dads. This past year and a half, millions of people sadly lost loved ones to CoVid-19. It is hard not to think about death, hard not to realize that we may need to make a few tweaks in how we live. I’ve already lost a couple of my immediate family years ago, and those times have always made me very aware that life is temporary, that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Although I like to plan, I like to think ahead, I have also been consciously living life in the moment. Every moment matters. I often say that I hope to live long but I also know that I may not, simply because we will all die – it's just a matter of when. With that, I try to enjoy the now because I don’t know what tomorrow brings.
How do I make the most of the life I’ve been given? Everything is subjective. Different things make different people happy. People live life and enjoy life differently. I’m very basic. I don’t get attached to things. I’m a minimalist. I don’t own big things or expensive things. I enjoy experiences more, creating memories with loved ones, enjoying the beautiful moments that I am in. I work hard, I like to save hard, I enjoy food, and I love to travel. Traveling keeps me healthy – mentally, physically and intellectually. I love exploring the world, immersing myself in other cultures, and learning about every county’s history. Travel does not have to be expensive. The planning phase is an enjoyable part of the whole travel experience for me. Each time I leave to go to a different place makes my heart skip a beat; to me, it means I am being in the present, partially filling my cup to a full life.
I am always sad when I think about my loved ones who passed away young – I feel sad that they didn’t get a chance to live life to its full extent Their death has made me more aware that today matters more than tomorrow, that it’s ok to plan ahead and to also fully enjoy each day that comes, that it’s good that I’m saving for my retirement but that it’s also important that I am not afraid to spend and do what I love to do now.
