Take time for what really matters

It was a year ago - January 2025 - that I almost ceased to exist. Or as some say today became "unalived". I'm not sure why that is the term that many of the younger generation uses these days. The old way of saying it "died" or maybe "deceased" worked just fine.

But, as is the norm these days, it seems there is a certain group who feel the need to change everything. There are so many terms for some things I just can't keep up with it all.

It brings to mind the old adage "if it ain't broke - don't fix it." The problem is we have become a world of hurt feelings and wanting to "stand out, have our own space/identity, etc." Although, I thought we all already had that.

Now there are more terms than as they say than "Carter has pills". I would venture to say rather than giving an identity to something we are getting more and more lost in the translation.

But, I digress.

Yes, a year ago I almost died, was deceased, became unalived. It was an experience I won't soon forget and that will most likely stay with me for some time. It caused me to think about a lot of things that, in fact, I may have been taking for granted.

I thought about my daughters, my grandchildren, other family and my friends. I thought about all of the "stuff" that is filling my world. And I wondered...why do I need so much stuff? And, why don't I have more memories and cherished moments?

Answer?

I have always been what has been referred to as a workaholic. (Unless there is a new term that I am unaware of.) I have worked two or three jobs all at one time. Rarely had time for anyone else let alone for myself.

Some might say taking time for yourself is selfish. But, the realty is, if you don't take time for yourself, you risk becoming lost. You risk becoming "unalived" if you don't take care of yourself. And if you are no longer here, there goes all the opportunities to make those memories and experience those cherished moments.

So, you would think after my near death experience I would have changed a lot of things - nope. Haven't gotten around to it yet. But, it is on my to do list. I just hope I manage to come up with some solutions before I find myself knocking on Heaven's door once again.

After all, I'm not sure the Man upstairs is ready for me just yet. There may be some things left to do down here.

My point is, in this busy have to get it now, hectic world we all live in - we all need to take time to not only smell the roses, but breath a little slower. Watch the world around you - don't just exist in it as fast as you can.

Where there is a will, there is a way - you just have to find it. And it's true that we all are in charge of our own destinies. We all have the ability to make decisions on what we do right now, what we do today, what we do tomorrow or even next week. We just have to make wiser choices when we are in the decision making process.

Take time to spend time. Make time to spend time.

Make yourself, your family and friendships more of a priority. We only have one life to live - we are not cats with eight to spare.

And, we can't take all the stuff we think we have to have with us when we go. We won't need it anyway.

If you have put off telling someone how you feel, if you have put off spending special time with someone or even just taking a walk to clear your mind - do it now. Don't put it off any longer.

Make that your New Year's resolution! Put those memories on the front burner, not the back one. Cherish each moment and each person in your world. Tell someone you love them - and mean it.

Cherish your family and friends - don't just walk away and take the easy road out when there is a disagreement or problem. Because you know what is really toxic? A world where no one cares about anyone or anything. A world where people don't even try to make things better or to improve relationships. That is toxic -  and that is what is really the wrong fork in the road.

Forgive when you need to. Don't carry that grudge like a badge of honor. Say your sorry when you need to. There is nothing wrong with uttering those two little words.

Again, take time to spend time. Make time to spend time. And above all else, spend your time wisely.