14 Jan Life

On the evening of Christmas, I was reminded of the fragility of life. (a local 24-year-old was killed in a car crash)

In an instant, in the snap of a finger, that life as we know it can be taken away from us. 

I was reminded of how the decisions we make can be the difference between life and death. 

It also sends ripples throughout the world we leave behind. It impacts a mother and a father. It impacts a brother and a sister. It impacts family and friends. It impacts colleagues and a community.  

Seeing a family distraught with pain and grief. A community showing up to lend their love and support to a family who lost a life so young, so tragically, and so quickly. 

To lose someone on Christmas, a day in which we tend to celebrate the birth of a child, the gift of life, and the hope of what is to come in the new year. 

It was a gentle reminder to me that life is precious. 

Life is fleeting. 

That it is imperative to make each moment count.

To show up with our full self. To be present. To pause. To listen. To understand. To see. To Observe. To connect. 

Often we are too busy with our heads down, our fingers swiping, our thumbs typing, and our ears listening via earbuds making pseudo-connections in a digital space that is siloed and solely focused on ourselves. 

Even when we are supposed to be “listening” or partaking in a meeting, how often are we multi-tasking? How many times do we show up and not give our full attention? Instead, we only half-listen and ask a question when it is our turn to participate. 

We tend to constantly be moving on to the next topic, theme, or thing. 

We take. We forget to give. 

Why? 

Financial stability. Achievement. Acknowledgment. Greener grass. A brighter whiter fence. A better world. Happiness. 

I do not have the answer, but it is a question I ask myself often. 

The quote below is a good reminder to myself that all I need is right here, right now, at this very moment.

“Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just be.”          ~Thich Nhat Hanh

I just need to look up, pause, listen, and see. 

To connect with others sharing their time and attention. 

To be present at every moment. 

To make moments that matter. 

To live life at the N of 1. 

Please email your comments, thoughts, questions, or ideas to me directly at cancergeek@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram.

~Cancergeek