This powerful little poem was the inspiration behind our Today’s Brilliance on InspireMeToday.com. As you know, each day we ask a new Inspirational Luminary, “If today were your last day and you had 500 words to share with humanity, what would you say? What have you learned that you’d want to share?”

I believe that the Desiderata would have been Max Ehrmann’s Today’s Brilliance. So, I share it with you here and invite you to write your own 500 words. Don’t worry if it’s not as eloquent as this poem- what matters is that you write it for yourself. If you’re anything like me, it will bring up all kinds of things for you- in a really good way. If you do decide you’d like to share it, please post it below. I’d love to see hundreds of them posted here!

But for now, go enjoy the wisdom of Max Erhmann and the Desiderata and be inspired.

With love and hugs,

Gail

The Desiderata
- by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

My blog today is a bit different in that it’s a personal letter from me to you. Let me start by saying, “Thank you” for being such a valued member of our InspireMeToday.com community. I personally appreciate your support.

I wanted to talk with you today about several things that we’ve been working on for the last few months. Recently you might have noticed a few minor changes to the site where we implemented your recommendations for improvement. We asked, you answered and we responded. We greatly appreciate your input which allows us to constantly improve our site for you.

To make the site easier for you to navigate, we’ve eliminated the need to sign in to access the inspiration on our site. And, we’re providing additional options to receive our inspiration:

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Many of you have asked how you can help InspireMeToday.com continue to provide high-quality inspiration and help us grow.  Here are 5 simple things YOU can do right now to help….

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- Book Gail to Speak- Speaking to your corporate or civic group allows us to share our message with more people and grow our InspireMeToday community. Email bookgail@inspiremetoday.com for topics, rates and availability.

It is our intention to keep our inspiration free for everyone and with your help, I feel confident that we can continue to do so. Please feel free to share your suggestions with us on how we can continue to improve our site. In an effort to continually improve, please tell me what you like and what doesn’t work for you. We’re here to listen anytime. We’re here FOR you and truly want to inspire your world. Please, share your comments below.

Thank you again for being part of the community and for caring and sharing your thoughts with us. We invite you to comment below and get the discussion going within the community. Thanks again and know that we love and appreciate your support.

Hugs,

Gail

I needed a break from what could have been a stressful situation, so I went for a walk to play on the beach with Koda and reconnect with nature. Walking along the beach I started looking at the rocks. For some reason, the rocks in Montana look like Easter eggs to me. They are various shades of green, red, grey, blue and white and are simply gorgeous. I’m always fascinated by the shapes and intricacies of each rock. For me, it’s almost a form of meditation and I could spend hours looking at the variations.

After walking for a bit and thinking hard about this particular situation I decided to focus on what I was doing and let go of the situation. I allowed myself to just take in the beauty that surrounded me, be present and pay attention to what I was seeing IN THAT MOMENT. Something shifted.

They say you get what you’re focusing on and what you’re looking for, right? I went there to reconnect, to remember that I’m part of something so much bigger- and I found it. As I walked along the shoreline I kept seeing rocks shaped like hearts! I felt like the Universe had sent me a belated Valentine’s Day card- or 5 or 6 of them, all in the form of heart-shaped rocks. As silly as it sounds, I felt loved. I felt like I mattered. And, I felt like the situation that  could have been perceived as problem, didn’t matter at all.

In that moment, my day changed. I don’t think it was a coincidence that these rocks were there when I needed their message. I’m sure they’ve been there- on this same beach- all along. What was different was my intention. I was looking for reconnection. I was looking for confirmation that I mattered.

Through the beauty of Nature, I was once again reminded that I am an infinite being with unlimited possibility. If the Universe could put heart-shaped rocks in my path to show me how much I am loved, then certainly what I perceived as a problem was nothing more than a tiny bump in the road. I have the choice how to react to whatever shows up, and I’m choosing to react from a place of balance and calm rather than from fear. I choose love, knowing that I am loved.

Take some time for you today to reconnect in whatever way works best for you. Perhaps you’ll find heart-shaped leaves or dollar sign shaped clouds. Whatever you need to find for you will be there, just like my heart-shaped rocks were there for me. There’s something very magical about this and I can’t wait to hear your stories. Please share with us what you find on your path.

May your day be filled with sunshine and may you remember the depth of your own magnificence.

Hug,

Gail

p.s. Can you see the six hearts in the picture or am I just crazy??

On this day, March 4th, 2010, do you recognize these words below?

“In such a spirit on my part and yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds are faced with serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no market for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone.

More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.

Yet our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for. Nature still offers her bounty, and human efforts have multiplied it. Plenty is at our doorstep, but a gracious use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply.

Primarily, this is because the rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure and abdicated… They know only the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish. The money-changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that civilization to the ancient truths.

The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit. Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.

The joy and moral stimulation of work must no longer be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and our fellow men… “

—–

Do you know when this was said and by whom? Perhaps his original introduction will help you….

“This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive, and will prosper. So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Okay, now do you who said this? If you are still uncertain, I’ll give you a big hint- this was said on March 4th, 1933, exactly 77 years ago today. It was part of the first Inaugural Speech of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, yet his wisdom seems so timely today.

As you may remember, when FDR was elected president the USA was in a depression. In this address, FDR “sought to banish the fear of the present and of the future which held the American people and the American spirit in its grasp.”

So today, 77 years later, I’d like to thank FDR for these timeless words of hope and wisdom. Just as dark times passed 77 years ago, whatever you might be experiencing right now shall also pass. As Annie said, “The sun will come out tomorrow.” And tomorrow is now. Put fear aside and remember, we still have so much to be grateful for.

And today, just like 77 years ago, we have an opportunity to reach out to our fellow man around the world. It is in that spirit that I ask you, “What can I do for you today? How can we be of greater service to you?” Please share your thoughts and musings below in our comment section.

We’re here at InspireMeToday.com and on Twitter to help you stay inspired throughout the day. Please, reach out and let us know how we can best serve you. We care, we appreciate you and we love you.

Hugs,

Gail

While I understand her not wanting to be alone, part of me is screaming, “Yes, but if you settle, you close the door for bliss to ever enter!”

Most of us would probably tell her that she should wait until she meets the right man, or find a way to be happy on her own, or all kinds of other well-intended advice to prevent her from settling. Yet we all settle in some way or another in our own life.

This made me ask myself the question…“Where am I settling in my life and more importantly, why do we settle?” As I’m writing this I’m hearing the voice of Jennifer Nettles of the country band Sugarland singing “I ain’t settling for anything less than everything“. Yet, we do it every day.

I believe that most times we settle for one reason. As much as we may want something, we don’t believe that we deserve or can have the best that life has to offer. Deep down inside, we believe that certain things- health, wealth, abundance or love- are for “other” people. Wouldn’t now be a good time to change that thought and realize that if we are deserving of breath in this very moment, we are deserving of all of the splendor that life has to offer?

What would life look like if you knew without a doubt that you deserved the dream you’ve been dreaming? How would it feel like to wake up and know that it is attainable? If you’re anything like me, just thinking that thought provides a wonderful sense of hope and excitement.

It all starts with vision, intention and belief.

Vision: If you want a great relationship, job, dream or anything else, get clear on what you want. When I knew that I wanted to find the love of my life, I sat down and made a list of 157 traits that I wanted in this man. Then, I focused on those things and celebrated finding this “perfect” man- before I ever met him. Celebrating in advance has a magical way energetically of attracting this into your life. Creating the vision is the first step.

Intention: Move forward as if it’s already happened. If you’re waiting to do step B until step A happens, take action as if step A has already occurred. Step out and state your intention to the Universe and from that action more doors will open to take you to step B. It seems counter intuitive but if you clearly state your intention through your actions, it will move your closer to achieving your dreams.

Belief: No matter what life might look like for you today, believe that the sun will come out tomorrow. Believe that the life you so desire CAN be yours. Believe that the right mate, job, opportunity or dream is waiting for you. Belief has a strong way of attracting what you want into your life.

Lastly, think about this…. If other people have achieved their goal or found what they want in their life, then you know it’s possible, right? And if it’s possible, why shouldn’t the same principles hold true for you? (They do).

I have a friend named Niki who put bright yellow Post-It notes throughout her home saying nothing more than, “Why Not Me!” Those three little words helped her move from a place of settling and empowered her to remember that someone has to win the lottery, someone has to find the man of their dreams, someone has to succeed in business…. so WHY NOT ME! As a side note, within two years of doing this project she created a successful business that generated over $7 million in profits- which she donated to orphanages in third world countries- All from not settling for anything less than everything, and from asking Why Not Me?!

I encourage you to look at your life and ask the same questions. Where are you settling and why? You deserve the very best that life has to offer. Create the vision, act from your intention and move forward with belief. Remember, if someone has to do great things or create abundance in their life- why not you?

It was disconcerting how this eagle just sat there in the tree looking at me. I was freezing as I  wasn’t dressed for the weather, but I couldn’t bear to tear myself away from him.

In the 20 minutes or so that I spent with the eagle, I felt as if he were there to remind me of wisdom I’d forgotten or to teach me something I needed to know.

My first view of him was as the sun was still reaching this part of the lake.

Here are some quick things I learned from the eagle:

Be ready for SURPRISE in your life. Magic can appear around the next corner, just as I didn’t expect to see him.

Take the time to allow childlike WONDER to be a part of your life. Soak in the magnificence.

APPRECIATE the beauty and joy in the world around you and more will be given to you. The more I kept saying “Thank You” to the eagle, the longer he stayed.

Live in a state of AWE at the magic in each individual moment. The beauty is always there if we pause to find it.

EXCITEMENT is a good thing! The thrill of being so close to this eagle kept my mind off other things (like being cold) and helped me to focus just on the moment.

VISUALIZE what you want. I saw the perfect shot in my mind and knew that he would turn his head  to give me the perfect angle – and he did.

PATIENCE is important when you’re waiting for something that you can’t control- like the sun. I waited more than 10 minutes in the cold for the sun to light the bird’s perch to make my photo beautiful- and it was worth the wait. The photos before the sun arrived don’t compare to the beauty of the natural light.

CHALLENGES are a part of life. When the camera battery died, I was worried that he’d fly away if I left for a minute. I practiced HOPE and FAITH that that he’d stay right where he was as I ran back inside for a new battery- and he did!

I was very GRATEFUL that he waited for me and was so happy to get this shot when I returned.

ABUNDANCE is there for us, if we only believe it is. This eagle stayed and  posed for 37 photos!

I felt such a feeling of CELEBRATION at the success of this morning. I knew some of these photos were going to be amazing.

I was very GRATEFUL for the experience and LUCKY to be able to share it with people in cities around the world who may not be lucky enough to see an eagle out their back door.

This eagle reminded me to LIVE IN THE MOMENT, for when we do, we can find beauty all around us.

As our photo session concluded, the eagle took one last look at Koda and me and flew off across the lake. As he left, he reminded me that no matter how good or how bad thing might be, nothing is permanent. LIFE IS CHANGE and is in constant flow, but there is beauty if you just pause to find it.

Today, go look for your eagle. I don’t mean this in a literal sense, but rather, look for the beauty around you and see what you can learn from it. Take the time to really pause and ask yourself what you too can learn from the situation.

If you are inspired to share it, please feel free to comment below. Thank you for being such an important part of our community.

The reactions were very interesting. Almost 2/3rds of those who commented on the main blog and on Twitter said “NO”, about 5% said maybe, and the remaining 1/3  responded with “YES”. The average age of those who responded with “No” was more than 10 years younger than those who responded with “Yes”.  Perhaps as we age the date or our demise would be easier or more advantageous to know?

Many of you asked me how I would answer this question. Although I can see benefits to many of the reasons for the “Yes” and the “No” answers included on the blog or in the tweets, I think I would lean more towards “Yes” for several reasons.

- We say we live each day like it’s our last, but most of us really don’t. If we really did, the word ‘worry’ wouldn’t be in our vocabulary. Think about it…. if you knew you only had a week left here on Earth, would you spend any time worrying about anything?

- Most of us expect to live a long, fulfilled life and therefore we put off a lot of things until ’someday’. When you go on vacation you manage to schedule the things that you want to do or see into the week because you know how long you have to do so. Therefore, I think if we knew we only had 40 or 50 years we would spend them more wisely and place a higher value on those days than we do when we think they are endless.

- And for all those who commented that  “It would be too stressful to know”, I only have one question for you. Don’t you already know now, to a certain degree? We have the benefit of statistics to tell us that most of us won’t live past 80, so you’re probably not booking a lot of events or vacations now for when you’re in your 90’s or 100’s.

But, all of this is kind of a moot point, because we can’t know, and in that, there is  magic. For me, the secret is to truly live and appreciate each day as if it could be our last, cherish our relationships by letting others know how much they mean to us, practice forgiveness, celebrate each moment for the gift that it is, don’t take anything for granted and don’t wait until ’someday’ to do the things on your bucket list. If we live by these principals then it won’t matter if we know the date or not, for our lives will be rich and blessed everyday.

Thanks to all who contributed to the blog and answered via Twitter. Should you wish to add your comments below, know that you are welcome to do so.

Here are the responses from Twitter:

Mteninty Yes! 39

wewriteonyou Yes

Jenom I vote yes

LibanaMusic Yes! an extra piece of the puzzle.

AnnaKDeLeo No!!! 28. I think we need to live in the moment, no matter what.

Gis4Girl Aabsolutely not. I’m 35.

hprog No. 33.

castleview NO!  65yrs.

KelByrd Definitely not. (No) 23 years old.

missphenom No because what if you do not die that day? Also your focus will be on your death date instead of the days you are alive.

RobertHruzek What whack job would really want to know that? Yeesh!

angelmarie_3 I’m 18, and nope I wouldn’t wanna know. I live everyday like it could be my last.

ElizabethPW My answer is no. because I live life as if I will die today and as if I will live forever.

kayabayb No, 23

BrettBorders NO, 33

ChebbiPon NO. I don’t want to know  date of my death. Whatever happens, happens.. What matters most is how you live your life so far.

calichiny No way // age :24

KarenAngstadt I’m 36 & I’ll continue ur trend. NO. I’d rather get 2 experience practice of living in the moment w/o knowing.

chris_tate24 No, I wouldn’t want to know, age 43. I think it would paralyze me and not allow me to live as I would have.

AMerems No I want to live each day! As if it was my last!!

sagesayings NO! 40

missgblog No & Yes, I would want to know an approximate ammnt of time so I could live life like it were my last.(but not exact day)

ellenfweber Gr question. I’d need to reflect the ethics and all pros/cons before I decide:-)Each day we should live as if the last. It could be toxic for person’s who struggle at times with moods and good to stir up those who move slowly on life issues:-)

Thanks again to all who commented here, on Twitter and on the main blog. I greatly appreciate your being a part of the InspireMeToday.com community.

Big hugs and love,

Gail

Worry takes a toll as stress builds, creativity suffers, health is compromised and relationships are threatened.

To keep with my transparent blogging style, I want to share this with you that this is one of the most difficult financial times of my life. I have always been an independent businesswoman and my background is in real estate, so all of my assets were in what I thought was the safest thing- real estate. Unfortunately my properties are now upside-down and eating money like hungry alligators.

I have one specific investment property in Las Vegas that I’ve been trying to sell for almost a year. I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall every day. After months of waiting for the lender to approve a pending sale, the buyer walked away from the deal just days before the sale was to close. This situation right now is precarious and at times, can be quite scary.

My best friend and her husband, who were two of my wealthiest friends, have recently filed bankruptcy as his company failed. He was the best businessman I know and I invested in his company. Through a multitude of things all lining up the wrong way, his firm is the latest casualty of this economy.

The stories go on and on for all of us. For the first time in my life, I think we all know someone who is directly affected by this recession. I just know that it sucks. I know that’s not very inspirational, but that’s what’s real for me.

Yesterday I crashed. With the threat of “the worst that could happen” looking probable for the Las Vegas property, I felt ignorant, worthless and like such a failure. I could physically feel that emotion in the pit of my stomach and spent time crying my way through it.

Funny thing is, in talking with my best friend just the other day, I was sharing with her that the failure of her husband’s business, or their personal bankruptcy- doesn’t define who she is. Funny how it felt like it WAS me when it was my problem we were dealing with. We all know that we are not our problems- even when it feels that way.

Personally, I wonder how I could have been so foolish to invest everything in real estate, and have lost what I did. At times the guilt of making wrong decisions is so overwhelming that it kills all self-confidence to move forward. I’m guessing some of you can identify with this.

This is precisely when the greater part of me needs to step in and shake things up! We all have the little part of us that deals with the everyday stuff, gets upset, scared and knows the meaning of fear. This is the human part that feels vulnerable, guilty, inadequate or just plain stupid.

But, thankfully we also have the greater part of ourselves. This is the all-knowing part of me that knows I’m connected to something much bigger than what’s showing up in front of me. It’s the part that realizes that I am not my problems- even when it feels like I am. It’s the part of me that stands up and reminds me who I really am. It’s the part that knows that no matter what, this too shall pass, and in the big picture, it’s not what’s important.

Depending upon your spiritual or religious beliefs, some may call this part our connection to God, the Universe, or some Divine presence. All I know for sure is that call it whatever you like- I’m connected to something bigger than me. And it’s that connection that helps me to remember who I am.

But how do you remember how magnificent you really are when you feel like crap? How do you get unstuck? How do you stop feeling like such a failure when everything around you appears to be going wrong?

Here are my Top Ten Ways to Remember Your Magnificence During Tough Times… (a.k.a Things that work for me when I’m stuck or scared. I wrote them down as much for me as I did for you- to remember at times when I’m having ‘one of those days’…)

1.) Look at the worst thing that can happen. Feel it. Mourn it. Cry through it. Then picture the worst that can happen and realize that you’ll live through it. From that alone, you’ll find the release and strength to move on.

2.) Forgive yourself and stop beating yourself up. What happened has happened. You can’t change yesterday so don’t waste energy on it. It’s already in the past. Let it go so you can move past it.

As the Desiderata says, “You are a child of God, no less than the moon and the stars.. you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, the Universe is unfolding as it should”. Wow- take that in for just a moment… you are no less than the moon and the stars and they are pretty spectacular! Would you beat up the moon and think it inadequate because it doesn’t shine the same every night?

Beating ourselves up over something that may appear real serves no one. Everyone has problems. Even enlightened people have problems. What’s different is how they choose to look at and react to them. Most important is how we choose to move forward.

3.) Find something to be grateful for. No matter how awful things may look you have at least one thing to be grateful for. Find it and celebrate it, and from that, more good will flow into your life.

4.) Realize that life is an ever-changing journey where nothing stays the same. That means that this too shall pass. (and hopefully soon!) What matters most is that you keep going. If you’re stagnant, remember that pond scum only forms on still waters. ☺

5.) Change your focus. As humans, we can only have one thought at a time and we get to choose the thought. If the circumstances you’re in are dreadful, do what you can to solve it, then turn it over to the Universe and focus on something else. Focus on what you WANT, not what appears to be showing up.

Create a vision for your life of where you want to be- regardless of what might be showing up in your life today. Focus on where you choose to be and feel THAT feeling. The fastest way to bring that into our life is to celebrate it in advance and feel it- even if we’re only playing “make believe”. This alone will change the energy around the situation and create shift.

6.) Look at your priorities. We spend too much time worrying about the things that matter the least. You are not your problems. As Noah ben Shea writes, “Being broke is not the same as being broken, losing money is not the same as being lost and finding your balance is not something you can do on a balance sheet”. Remember what’s important and what’s not. If it won’t matter in five years, it’s not worth worrying about today.

7.) Go do something for someone else. The fastest way to get unstuck is to reach out and help someone else in need. Most times this act brings perspective into our own situation and we realize things are not so dire.

8.) Have faith and believe in yourself and in your future. The solution to your all-consuming problem could show up in the next moment. Anything is possible for us- if we just believe. Believe that the sun will come up again tomorrow and that it is still a beautiful world. Find the magic in the moments and surrender your beliefs on how things “should” be to the greater will of the Universe.

9.) Surround yourself with people who believe in you, support you and love you. This can be in the form of daily inspiration from InspireMeToday.com, virtual friends on Twitter or FaceBook and friends that you connect to in person. Reach out to them for help and accept help when it is offered. Be there to help someone discover his or her own magnificence!

10.) Reconnect to who you really are. Go deep. Maybe this means go meditate, pray or go for a walk in the woods. Whatever reconnection looks like for you, realize that you are more than your problems, so remember the infinite, unlimited nature of who you are.

Sometimes I too get caught up in the problems and the drama and forget who I am. The important thing isn’t that we forget, but how quickly we remember who we really are. We are infinite beings with unlimited potential!

Remember, there is nothing like you in all of creation… relish in that. Treasure the you that is inside. Nurture and grow that presence until it becomes bigger than the problems. You are immeasurable and when you tap into that knowledge, anything is possible. When you tap into your greatness, your problem will diminish in size in direct proportion to that which you connect to. In other words, tap into little things like problems and they will seem enormous. Tap into the vast, unlimited power of who you really are, and you will jump over those same problems that at one point, appeared to be insurmountable.

Today, remembering your own magnificence, step forth bravely. Be courageous. Even though there are problems in my path, for today, I will not allow something so minute to diminish the splendor of who I really am or rob moments from this precious day.

For me, I’m going to go spend my day holding my granddaughter, walking on the beach with my husband and my family, and tap into something bigger than me- something that has the power to turn mountains into molehills.

Find your own magnificence within you and come leap over mountains with me. We all have problems and likewise, we all have opportunities to put them into perspective and live today to the fullest. I hope you’ll join me and make your day rock.

Please share your tips for how you find your balance and get unstuck from what could be a scary situation for you… in the hopes that together we can help one another remember the magnificence of who we really are.

Love and hugs to you,

Gail

Seeing it in writing stopped me in my tracks. If we could know the exact day of our demise… would you want to know? While it might be great for financial planning, how would knowing the date affect the quality of the days we have here to LIVE?

I have friends that have gone to Nadi astrological readers in India and believe that they know the exact time and circumstances of their death. Take a moment and wrap your head around that one for a moment…. to know the exact time of your passing, months, or even years in advance…. how would that change your life?

If you believed without a doubt that you had only 50 years remaining, how differently would you live your life? What about 10 years or 6 months or 3 days? At what point does life become precious?

When you break it down into moments, things suddenly get more real. Insurmountable problems now seem insignificant. Appreciating the sound of the falling rain becomes more important than losing sleep over what might happen in the future. We fill our days with fun and happiness instead of worry. Each moment has a magic quality to it that wasn’t there just a second before.

Go enjoy today, knowing that this could be your last day, your last Monday, your last February, your last year, or the start of your last decade. I’m not suggesting we get morbid about this, but rather, pause and cherish what otherwise might be something we so easily take for granted.

What great work do we still have inside of us just waiting to be birthed? Go do it! Regrets on our deathbed are usually things that we didn’t do, not things that we did. Take action. Live now. Cherish this very moment. Breathe. Smile. Then go live your life.

Time is ticking so you better start living- and the time to start is right now!

p.s. In getting ready to post this blog I shared it with my family. My husband and I are  in Florida with my parents, my daughter and son-in-law and also my granddaughter. With four generations here, this was an interesting topic.

If you could know the time of your passing, would you want to know? Please share your answer with me below. Tell me your age and either YES, I’d want to know, or NO, thanks. I’ll combine the answers and post them here in a follow up blog. Thanks for your response. Now go enjoy your day!

This noisy little bird was a reminder of my connection to Nature. And sometimes with me it has to be noisy enough to get my attention, because I’m busy doing “important” things. (Ha ha)!

Sometimes it’s almost funny how much of our time we spend in the drama of life, worried about money, or how much we weigh, or if we have the right outfit, rather than connecting to the magnificence of who we REALLY are and why we’re here. This little bird was my reminder today (and asked me to pass this message along to you today too.)

Whether you connect through a traditional religious practice, meditation, or a talk with the Universe while walking through nature, schedule some time today to reconnect to who you really are. Take the time to just be… breathe…. and go inside to listen to your own song.

Connect to the part of you that is unlimited and infinite. Let go of the thoughts, judgments, fears and worries, look at the world and know that everything is unfolding exactly as it should.

Make the time to study the intricacies of a sea shell or a leaf, or perhaps a snow flake. We are all part of this world, and each thing we see is a part of the greater “us”. Watch a bird in flight or a pigeon hopping around on a city street. No matter where you are, there is beauty and there is connection.

When we reconnect we allow the flow of life to continue through us. Stuck on a problem that seems unsolvable or an issue to big and nasty to deal with? Reconnect. From there and there alone, all else will unfold.

Know that all of the answers to all of your questions are already answered, inside of you. When we reconnect it’s like turning all of the dials to the same language, and suddenly we can hear the answers that have been inside us all along. It really can be that easy.

There is a great big, beautiful world waiting to be discovered, inside of you. Take the time today to go find it. I think you’ll be grateful that you did.

For me? I’m off to take another walk on the beach. (I shot these photos yesterday in Cape San Blas, Florida, as I was walking the beach with my family.) Wherever you are, take some time to reconnect and please feel free to share the link to your photos that refresh your soul. I look forward to sharing your day with you.

Love and hugs,

Gail