Get Busy Living......

To quote a movie high on my list.......
Get busy living, or get busy dying.  That's from Shawshank Redemption.  That quote is from Tim Robbins' character, Andy Dufresne.

I think about life, and death, all the time.  I wouldn't say I'm obsessed but it does enter my mind at least once per day.  Watching the news coverage of all that is happening in Japan because of an earthquake I am reminded that life is over in an instant.  

How many people have a chance to say goodbye like they do on tv or in the movies?  I can personally think of only one or two.  How many people lay on their death bed and think "I did everything I ever wanted to do.  I have no regrets." ?    I know NONE!

What are you waiting for?  Do the things you want to do.  No matter how big or how small.  I know some things require planning and saving money or waiting for the opportunity but while you work out the details to the bigger things in life don't forget the small, simple things that you can do on a daily basis. 

You have to keep living.  Life goes on.  Time marches forward.  


I live by what I think, are some pretty simple rules.

1. Always tell people you love them.
2. Don't fight dirty.  Don't say things you don't mean.
3. Don't lie.  People know when you're lying.  They usually won't say anything but they're almost always insulted that you think they're stupid enough to believe your lies.
4. When saying goodbye, say I love you.  What if it's your last goodbye to them?
5. Don't put everything off for "later".  What's wrong with now?  You can't do everything later, you'll run out of time.


Stop and think about that quote for a moment.
Get busy living or get busy dying.


We are surrounded by natural disasters, terrorist acts, life ending or altering accidents and of course the end of life in a natural way brought on by age or illness.


I read somewhere that the most important thing on a headstone was the DASH between your birthdate and the date you died.  It stood for all of the things you did in your life.  
What does your dash represent?
We can't all invent something that the entire world can't live without, there's a select few for that but we can all leave a mark on our loved ones and even just acquaintances.  I want people to think of me and smile.  I know people will smile for different reasons; some because I loved them, some because I was there for them, some because I was silly or whatever.  I guess there will even be a few who smile because I'm gone.  Either way, I want my dash to be full.  The only way I can do that is to live life every day!!!


I feel like so many people just get through each day, never really enjoying it.  WHY?  It's a gift, no one is promised a tomorrow.  You don't have to do something spectacular each day but why not do something that makes you smile?  Go for a walk, make a phone call, bake cookies, mentor a child, reach out to the elderly, indulge yourself in a simple pleasure, it doesn't matter what you do...........  JUST LIVE LIFE!


For myself, I choose to Get Busy LIVING!!


~A~