How to arrive at the grave with no regrets

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention
of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
“Wow! What a Ride!
~ Hunter S. Thompson

The day after my epic slide into home (see ‘What *not* to do while hiking’), my body felt incredible. I experienced minimal stiffness and swelling; bruising and scabbing to be expected. And about 30 hours after the fall, I practiced yoga in a hot room packed with other Bikram practitioners. In that space and time, gratitude washed over me for my abilities, and for the people on this journey with me. It would prove a waste if I didn’t seize every opportunity I’m afforded to enjoy this life I’ve been granted for a prescribed number of days. Because I, too, hope to declare one day: Wow, what a ride!

Do you play it safe, or seize the day?

Image courtesy of marcolm at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Carpe diem (life’s dos and don’ts)

Don’t wait for time. Make it.
Don’t wait for love. Feel it.
Don’t wait for money. Earn it.
Don’t wait for the path. Find it.
Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.
Don’t go for less. Get the best.
Don’t compare. Be unique.
Don’t fight your misfortune. Transform it.
Don’t avoid failure. Use it.
Don’t dwell on [mistakes]. Learn from [them].
Don’t back down. Go around.
Don’t close your eyes. Open your mind.
Don’t run [from] life. Embrace it.
~ Bigvai Volcy

This post is more for me than anyone else.  Another reminder of how I desire to live actively, rather than passively.  How I want to take control over my own circumstances.  But I’m more likely to spend time beating myself up over missed opportunities instead of pursuing the life I desire for myself.  Sometimes I feel selfish adopting this attitude.  However, if I want something, I can’t wait for it to drop in my lap.  I can’t wait … period.  Carpe diem.

What are you waiting for?

[Image credit: http://www.villacarpediemcuracao.nl/%5D

A case of spring fever

[Image credit: dan]

You may be familiar with the TV commercial catchphrase from the 80s: I’ve fallen … and I can’t get up.  On that same note, I’m stuck in a rut … and I can’t get out.  I’ve periodically written about the occasional funks that move in with me, the longest one taking residence shortly after I returned from my trip to the Midwest in January.  But I wouldn’t label this one a funk.  I’m happy and fulfilled in my day job as I continue learning the ropes of the publishing trade.  I’m also 19,000 words into one story, drafting another and invited to write a new magazine article.  Further, I continue to tackle my yearly goals one at a time.  But I’m restless.  My mind keeps drifting to the should’ves, could’ves, would’ves, didn’ts — how the years ahead have started piling up behind — and I’m afraid I will be forever stuck in this place where I’m comfortable, but not really living.  I just wish I’d muster the courage to seize the day I can’t seem to reach.  Or maybe it’s simply a case of spring fever cured by a change of scenery.  In the meantime, a good seasonal cleaning might not be a bad idea either.  More on that later …

What would you do if you could throw caution to the wind and seize the day?