Certified To Save

I obtained my CPR certification last night. It has been over 14 years since I last practiced on an "Annie" doll, so I gratefully welcomed the refresher course. It is very empowering to learn how to save someone's life. I encourage everyone to get certified.

But it made me realize that accidents happen, that life can be short - oftentimes too short. This week I also learned that a childhood friend's father lost his battle to cancer ten years ago. She and I had lost contact when I moved to Minnesota so long ago, but we recently reconnected on Facebook. I have lots of memories of her father, so it is strange to me to think that he is no longer around, and actually hasn't been for a long time.

I don't mean for this post to be dark or depressing, but I do hope you take a look at how you are living your life and remember those people that ARE in your life now, just as this week has opened my eyes up to. I am blessed that my father is still here; when was the last time I called him and told him how much he means to me? Tomorrow an accident could happen to me; is this how I want to live and who I want to be if it were my last day on this earth?

I often get up each morning and go through the motions: coffee, work, yoga, dinner, read, bedtime, wake up, repeat. But where can I add more passion, and more living, into these actions I do each day? Where can I share more love and joy to the people I come in contact with, from my co-workers to the grocery store clerk? I am now certified to save others, but what am I doing to save MY life right now?

I will remember constant gratitude for the countless wonderful people and things in my life. I will choose to give importance to that which really matters in the current moment. I will live each day of my life as the beautiful gift that it is.

"Begin each day as if it were on purpose." - Mary Ann Radmacher