Upland CA- Celebrating my birthday has always been a time when I reflect on what I have done or accomplished over the past year. There are 365 days in a year and what we do with that time is up to us. We must allocate a certain amount of our time to basic things such as sleeping, eating, caring for ourselves and our families, and of course to work, but do we maximize our time to the best of our abilities? I have learned when I make lists, prioritize my action items, and practice time management, I am able to get a lot more accomplished. I am grateful to see another year where I have been able to accomplish a few things, while pushing forward projects that are still yet to be completed. I am enjoying this season of my life.
My grandmother used to say, if life lasts and death passes, we will see how precious time really is. At the end of the day, time is all we cannot get back. The older I get and the more birthdays I celebrate the faster the years seem to pass. There are times I feel like I can get a lot done, but then there are other times when I feel like it is taking me forever no matter how organized I may be. That is when I must understand there are other pieces to the puzzle that may be contributing to my lack of achievement such as age, health, or unnecessary expectations. These are not excuses because I do believe we are as young as we feel but we must be realistic the older we get some things do not come as easy.
Now that I am in my sixties, I have learned to stop and smell the roses a little more. When we are young, we tend to chase the butterflies before our face that seem to never be quite within reach. I have goals and projects that are important to me to accomplish, but I also know the importance of having a servant’s heart and stopping along the way to help someone in need or someone who could use a little encouragement. This is a practice we are never too young to begin. I also enjoy spending face to face time with my grandchildren and helping them grow and instill qualities that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Accomplishing another goal or achieving another promotion will always be there but shaping and sowing into the lives of people is a gift that sometimes only comes along now and then.
None of us know the day or the hour when we will say goodbye to this earth and to our loved ones. Be mindful of the moments you have now to make an impact in the way you want to be known. I had a conversation today with a dear friend who shared with me that when we make mistakes we do not have to live with those mistakes if we are willing to let God “course correct” us. I thought that was a good statement. I know that I have made plenty of mistakes during the many years I have gone around the sun, but I know that with forgiveness and allowing God to course correct me, I have another chance to get it right before I go around the sun once more.
As we all continue to grow and experience the various birthdays in our lives, we must learn to be kind to ourselves and extend gentleness and kindness so we can endure this journey called life. It really can be a beautiful thing if we stop and learn to smell the roses and not take ourselves too seriously.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
