Saturday, February 12, 2011

"Living Life" by Bonnie L. Mohr

I was doing some shopping today and came across a picture with a saying that I just had to buy. It seemed like the words were speaking directly to me, although I was not the only one in the store, nor was I alone in that aisle. I think I even looked around to see if anyone else saw it on the shelf. There were several rows of these frames and I had to take it home. It is already hung in a place where it welcomes our friends and family and it will catch their eye and they will read it. I hope you find these words as powerful as I did and encourage you to live your life.

Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment."


Wow. So many words that seem so relevant to me alone, yet I am sure that that cannot be true. Hopefully, this resonates with some of you as well, regardless of what is going on in your life. As I have mentioned before, I believe that there are reasons for everything, and therefore everything has a reason. Even if we don't see the reason. There is a great plan in motion and I have learned that the more I think I am controlling it, the less I really participate in it. I was detached from living for such a long time and had let my lack of "feeling" be a way to keep me safe. There is a difference between unfeeling and uncaring - I care about a lot of things, but I really never let my heart speak for me. I always let "the logical choice" rule and never saw anything wrong with that option. Until I took more chances, even when I was fearful beyond belief, and really started living. I am extremly grateful for this new opportunity and will not toss it aside, as I have done for so long. My Life Statement is a reminder of everything I have longed for and been afraid to seek. I am living my life - as I only get one chance to live it. Live yours!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am a 33 year old man who pretty much gave up on life itself. I struggled with alcohol and addiction for years and attempted to commit suicide.I lost everything. I have since gotten help and I am in the early stages of recovery. My mother and I were in a store as well and I was stopped in my tracks. I as well was living in life but not living life itself.This poem has had a major impact on my way of thinking about life, love , family and friends. Enjoy every moment you have life goes fast and regrets are days lost.I believe God works in mysterious ways and this was one of them. I hope this helps others as well as it helped me. God Bless

Michelle Homme said...

Dear Anonymous...I am very glad that you are on your way back up after perhaps being at your lowest point. Sometimes we cannot explain why things come to us, knowing that we would not wish to have them, but I believe that we grow stronger and learn something (if we pay attention) as well. We only learn about regrets in hindsight, never before. May your recovery come to you as best as you are able to handle and you are never alone. We all have "stuff" - sometimes it just looks a little different. Enjoy this season and God bless you too. Take care.

Anonymous said...

2012 I had been struggling with financial and divorce proceedings that seem to zap the life from me. I had yet another blow which turned out to be the final straw.. I just wanted out..from the rat race...from life itself. I even started planning my funeral ready for my exit.(I like to plan.) The very next day 12th January ( almost a year to the date of Bonny's) still upset I was also wandering around a store having returned an item and had credit..I came across the same picture, of a tree with the quote under it. The words hit me as hard as if someone had punched me. I felt the picture had been placed there just for me...It was the only one amongst many others of flowers and scenes but none with quotes. Even the shop assistant commented that he had never seen it. It was the inspiration I needed to pick myself up and shake myself down and look ahead. Thank you Bonny.

Michelle Homme said...

I totally get what you are saying. Sometimes, it takes something so suttle yet so powerful that if it had been forced upon us, we would not have received the message the way it was intended. I hope you continue to look up and reach for what life has yet in store for you, not what it has given you so far. It will be worth it...you have to not just believe that, but know it. Best wishes!

Anonymous said...

I bought the same picture today too. You see it as soon as you enter our new home. It spoke to me. I called my husband and told him about it. We went back tonight to get it and it's already hanging up.

Michelle Homme said...

Life means so much more when we look at it in simple terms. We know what we want and this is a reminder of what truly matters most and whom we treasure most.

Anonymous said...

Today I went to the store for the first time in eighteen months without any worries about school since I had finally graduated and was looking for a frame to put my diploma in. Even thought I had a lot on my mind due to just taking my Dental State Boards the day before and I had some confusion about the exam. A friend pointed out this Frame and asked me if I had ever seen it before? I read it slowly and carefully making sure I understood every word because it started to seem like the wording was being directed to me. The more I read it the more I loved it. I want to buy it but as a poor student who just graduated I could afford it. Nevertheless, once I get back on my feet I will purchase it and place it in my living room so everyone can embrace it the same way I did . Thank you for putting my mind at ease.

Michelle Homme said...

How you choose to look at life is always more important than how you live that same life. I merely shared these words so that everyone could embrace them just as I had. Congratulations on your graduation and always wishing you the best on your state boards. We must first remember where we came from in order for us to know where we are meant to be. Together, we will make this world better. One step at a time.

Anonymous said...

Like many I have struggled in this rat race called life. As a young professional I worked way to much for material possessions. At 51 I was extremely depressed and very physically ill. I spent 40 days in a hospital and1and1/2 years off from a job I thought would never go on with out me. In short I have learned the hard way. The real treasures in life are the simple ones friends, family and the ability to wake up each day and enjoy. I love the passage about life. It also stopped me in my tracks in a store. It's right on regarding the importance of life. I will have it some day on my wall as a daily reminder of what's important.

Michelle Homme said...

Anonymous,
In hard times, we forget what really matters and what we treasure most. It is not until we finally look up and see all that we have that we leave the pity party and begin to once again, embrace life. For now, I hope you never forget that you matter to others and how your being here makes people grateful for you. For the last couple of years, I have had a motto that I have held to that has kept me growing and becoming more than I was before....the motto for 2013 is "All is well". It is what I will tell myself when I cannot see where I need to be, but know I cannot give up. Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Sixteen years ago a brian injury left me in a coma, I was then 40. After awakening some time later the one thing that I knew was that "The Joy of The Lord Is My Strength". Through trials and chalanges and a tough road to walk, I learned once again to carry on in everyday life. It wasn't easy, but we fought the good fight and the sun shines on us today. A few days ago a close friend went home eternally. That event has captured my thoughts for most of those last few days. But I found "Living Life" in a store today and it brings me back to a point where I realize the sun will come out tomorrow and a rainbow will once again remind me that the pot of gold at the end of that rainbow is sweet sweet life and living. I cant bring my friend back, nor would I wish that on him. That pot of gold is the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for allowing me to share the peace in my heart at this moment.

Michelle Homme said...

Thank you for sharing what you felt at that exact moment. I believe that we are compelled to do that, but for some of us, it is easier to dismiss those feelings. Life is difficult and it teaches us lessons we would rather not learn. Keep walking and looking for your pot of gold. It is there! Best wishes always.

Anonymous said...

I love this saying my head says so true but my son was killed in a accident. Not sure of anything anymore

Michelle Homme said...

I am so humbled by where you must be with your loss and as a parent myself of three sons, I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be feeling. It is easy for me to ask this, but are we ever really SURE of anything? There are no guarantees. I imagine that at this time, feeling selfish, angry, and hurt are normal as you grieve for the loss of your son and the promise never fulfilled. Feeling helpless doesn't help either. I hope that as time presses on, as we know it will, that your grief becomes less and you remember your son for all he was, and not regret for all he never was. I pray for you and ask God to ease your pain. Thank you for sharing and being real. It is all that connects us all together. Bless you. Always.

Sonia said...

This picture/saying also stopped me in my tracks when I saw it on a wall when I was shopping. I lost my husband of 9 years to a heart attack and it flipped my world upside down. He was only 44 years old and I was a widow at 38. Since then, I've met someone new and decided to take a chance with him and not move out of state to be closer to other family. I am glad I did. I am living my life as I want to and this quote rings so true to what I live every day. I asked the girl if the picture was for sale and she said no. I asked if she could write down the name of the person and the picture... that's how I came to your website. Glad to know I'm not the only one this rings true for. Thanks for listening... :)

Michelle Homme said...

Sonia,
I cannot imagine losing my husband at all and I am so sorry for your loss. I found this quote speaking to me and HAD to buy it. I fell in love with all quotes that inspire me to be better every day. I am so happy for you that you gave life another chance, after suffering so. Life can be everything we ever dreamed of and nothing we ever wanted all the same. I am so glad you reached out to me -- if you want to read more, go to my new website at www.constantchangetoday.com
P.S. I am a pretty good listener, too! :-)

Snavely Racing said...

It's amazing it took me 2 1/2 years later to see this picture in Hobby Lobby today! During a time of transition (moving and new job); I found this extremely relevant! God Bless All!

Michelle Homme said...

Such is life...only as we reflect do things, people, and experiences become relevant. Best wishes to you.

Anonymous said...

I was on my way to Detroit to make funeral arrangements for my brother whom had passed away suddenly from a heart attack. I met a woman on the plane sitting next to me who was going to her family reunion and had a picture of Living Life. I didn't get to read it but just looking at it told me that the poem was saying something real and honest. I took the name and author and I've googled it and I'm ordering a copy today. It makes you realize how short life is and we have to embrace and cherish every moment God has given us.

Michelle Homme said...

This one brief synopsis of all that life is always quiets my questions. Its calming nature comforts me when I am dealing with the negative life throws at me, but also reminds me of the precious time I have while I am here so that I will not be forgotten. Prayers for as you grieve for your the loss of your brother.

Anonymous said...

I was in the mall looking for a last minute Christmas gift for a special couple in im life
Not having any luck I went into a small shop full of candles and whatnot Not having any luck finding anything that i liked for them I started to leave as I did a little room tucked off in the corner caught my eye. I walked into the little room and this picture jumped off the wall and said read me
I couldn't get past the first or second sentence before I was all chocked up and through teary eyes I snap it off the wall and took it to the check out. The people that I gifted it to were just as taken with it!

Michelle Homme said...

My picture of this still hangs on the wall and although I sometimes forget to re-read the words printed on it, it has become the focus point I never thought it would become. I have received more comments from this one post than any others. When push comes to shove and we get down to it, this is what life is about. Nothing else matters. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

I was feeling very depressed before reading the poem on living life. It has change my day and how I shall live the remaining days lof my life.

Unknown said...

I was very depressed before reading the poem on living life.it has changed my day and how I want to live my remaining days.

Michelle Homme said...

Dwayne, it astounds me how a few words thrown together can impact in such powerful ways. Keep the words alive as they calm your beating heart and keep you focused on what is most important.