“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
I landed on this quote recently and had to share it. As I have been aging I find myself wanting to seize every moment I have with purpose and intent. For example, I have felt compelled lately to set my alarm to catch the sunrise, choosing to begin each day with a sense of new hope and new possibilities.
Will I possibly meet someone new? Will I possibly see something new? Will I possibly eat something new?
Yes, it’s possible the new person I meet could be mean. Yes, it’s possible the new thing I see could be really ugly, or the new thing I eat could be too spicy for my comfort. And yes, it’s even possible I could receive bad news today. But, what if?
What if I meet someone who makes me laugh or comforts my soul? What if I see something so beautiful that it takes my breath away? What if I eat something I have never eaten before and it tastes really really yummy?
Indeed, what if? My family, just this week*, has received devastating and heartbreaking news that is going to change our lives forever. However, in the past few days, in the middle of that pain, I have also seen the sun rise over the ocean. I have watched dolphins play and pelicans fly. I have heard sea lions bark and children giggle. I have felt the sand between my toes and the sea breeze upon my face. Even right now, as I pen this, I smell the barbecue cooking something that I am sure will taste oh so delightful.
All five senses engaged in the possibility of something good even in the midst of disappointment.
I could have missed these gifts had I chosen to focus solely on the bad news and the scary possibilities that could come along with such news. However, in a few moments I will make my way down to enjoy the sun set over the Ocean and Thank GOD that He helped me through another day while He covered me in peace. I also choose to set my alarm for an early wake up call in order to catch the Sunrise tomorrow, allowing its rays to kiss me with hope.
Yes, I choose to purposely start each day THANKFUL, with a sense of new hope and new possibilities, otherwise, I will find myself drowning in fear…where is the life in that?
*This post was originally written in 2019. I can testify that we have experienced a tremendous amount of healing as we submitted our broken hearts to the tender loving arms of our faithful God.