As I have tried to escape the sadness, I have been watching shows or scrolling Facebook and Instagram. I think God has an important lesson for me to learn because on each of those platforms I have still been being fed all about death and the stark reality of it in each of our lives. As I was watching The Good Doctor there was a man with cancer. He was told he had 6 months left to live. He was trying out chemotherapy as a way to hopefully live past his allotted 6 months and he was miserable. He decided to quit the chemo and start to live. As the episode progressed each main character was faced with the question, "What would you do if you only had 6 more months to live?"
As they each responded, it caused me to ponder what I might do differently. Then my mind wandered further, what if my son, husband, mom, sister, friend, etc. was given 6 more months to live? How would my attitude change? Would I do things a bit differently? The simple answer is YES things would most definitely change. So, the obvious follow up question: how do I change those things NOW?
I started to list out each person in my mind and figure out what was within my power to change right now. First, I started with the most important person in my life: my husband Levi. We would be going on more regular dates, I would be kissing him a whole lot more, flirting more, laughing more, dancing more, completing more things on our bucket lists, etc. Then it hit me that I can be doing those things RIGHT NOW.
Next on the list were my two sons. There would be a lot less TV, more time outdoors, more laughter, more hugs, more connecting, more forgiveness, etc.
As I continued to do this exercise I was surprised that there are things I am already doing that I am very proud of (like co sleeping with my 18 month old and still nursing him) and the harsh realization that I can be doing WAY more.
So much of my life I have told myself things like, "I wish she would just call me more often," or, "why did so many of my close relationships come to an end?" Most of the time I am blaming others, but often I am asking those questions to myself to see if there was something I did wrong and how I can improve. The thing I love so much about this exercise is how all of it is in my power. It is an active list of things I can personally do or change.
For better or worse, none of us have a definite death date. The good news is that we absolutely have the power to control our lives. Please sit down and make a list of things you can change, even if it's just your attitude. Pretend like you were just given the news that you and your loved ones only have 6 more months on earth, make a list, and then live it! Share this idea with your loved ones and challenge them to do the same and then come back and let me know how it goes!
If you're interested in the many things that inspired this idea here are all the links:
-Video on connection and how to Use Your Trials to Help Others (15 min)
-Video on Loneliness (20 min)
-Article about a woman in my church community who just recently passed away and the miracles she left behind
-My amazing cousin who has witnessed far too much heartache, including the loss of her babies and nearly losing her life @tiacelise
-The ever-inspiring woman, Kim, on Instagram (she has since passed away, and her legacy is still living on #godisinthedetails) @kimcankickit
-Motivation to get outdoors by following @1000hoursoutside and @tinkergarten
Picture Credit: My sister in law @miriamvancephotography
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