One Day at a Time

The most terrifying thing I can think of is to be old and look back on my life and say that I wasted it. I don't want to be unused potential, and I never want to have to ask myself what could have been. We have so many gifts among us, and worse than death is life without truly living.

I understand that I might be too hard on myself. However, I will never be willing to settle for a mundane life. Sure, we can't spend one hundred percent of our time commandeering ships, base jumping off the space needle, or saving the USA from a terrorist threat with nothing more than a potato gun. We don't all need to move to foreign countries or forsake responsibility in the name of 'living the great adventure.' In fact, I often feel like people quickly become addicted to things of that nature because those 'adventures' mask real, true idleness.

I just want every moment to matter, in my heart. I want to be fully alive when I have nothing better to do than sit on my porch and watch the cars go by. I want painful moments to hurt, I want to laugh with joy, I want to truly celebrate. And beyond that, I want to give myself away. We all have gifts, but they aren't ours to keep. The inflation of ego, using gifts to build our empire is one way to be selfish with our gifts; not using our gifts at all is another.

I'm not perfect, and I'm definitely not a hero. I don't expect to wake up tomorrow and immaculately live every single moment. In fact, I've only proved that throughout my life I am all too willing to let it pass by. At least, more willing than I want to be. I also don't have the answers or words to get anyone else to that point. But there is one thing I am sure of: if I surround myself with people who are passionately seeking life, the contagious nature of big hearts will be a constant reminder that every single day and every single person mean something. And I guess, amidst all of it, that is the best possible thing I can ask for.

Be the type of person who is fully alive when you have nothing better to do than sit on your porch and let the cars go by. Let painful moments hurt, laugh with joy, and truly celebrate. Chase after your dreams! Ask people what their dreams are, and grab their hands and chase with them. Please. And I will do my best to be that kind of person, and together we will passionately, imperfectly love and inspire our way through this life.

When you are old, I will be there by your bedside to remind you that you did it. I will be there telling everyone all the stories, re-living all of the moments when you were truly alive.