Life is not a "collectible"

There are a lot of people who “collect” things. Barbie© dolls, Hot Wheels © cars, and baseball cards to name a few. I have seen something on TV where people had the biggest board game collection and the most Pez© dispensers in the world. How many of us can have something so exciting and never open the box? We have it, but it sits on a shelf and collects dust. We may look at it from time to time, but we never use it as it was intended. Some days, it may catch our eye and we wonder the same thing every time…is it less valuable because we take it out of the box? But because we are afraid of it losing it’s value, we don’t touch it. We admit we have it, but that is as far as it goes. Guess what…life is not a “collectible”. Life is not meant to sit on a shelf and collect dust. It is not meant to be admired from inside some cellophane wrap in a shiny cardboard box. But how many of us have “collected” life? As much as I would like to admit that I haven’t, I have. I was careful, cautious girl. I sat on the shelf as life passed me by, never thinking that I had any other choice. Now, I know better. Now, there is NO way I am going back on that shelf! Today is a significant day for me as this day marks the 4th anniversary of the day my life changed forever. In some ways, it seems not that long ago but in other ways, I cannot believe all that has happened to me in 4 years. I have been pushed further than I ever thought I could go. Walls that I had spent a lifetime building are still there, but are much smaller. Running has taken on a whole new meaning. I have become stronger because of adversity. People have come into my life that have given me such joy that I am so glad I didn’t miss those moments. I believe in chances and second chances. There is nothing worse than living with regrets, so I have chosen to open the “box” of life and get in the game. Are you sitting on a shelf, wasting the time you have been given? WHY??? Instead of you collecting things that never get used, you have become to be the “collected.” Your life is not meant to be wasted in that way. Do you know how many people who wish for another day to do what they didn’t get a chance to do? Just ONE more day? We are meant to grow and to change. Time is precious and we must not waste it. Don’t sit on a shelf any longer. Wipe off the dust you have collected. Today, the new beginning of your life starts today. Four years ago, it did for me. I just never knew it. Now you know that it can happen for you too. Just remember, “Today is Your Day” by Shania Twain Michelle A. Homme 2013 ©

Today is your day

Tonight, as my husband was flipping through the channels waiting for his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers to start their game, he found a show with Shania Twain where she was singing a song titled, "Today is your day". Beautiful song. What I also found interesting is that her show was titled, "Why not?" -- do you know why that spoke to me? My theme for this year is the same..."why not?" I was recently told about the "Trek up the Tower" which is done in February as a fundraiser where people run up a high rise in downtown Omaha to benefit a non-profit organization. I have taken up being on the elliptical for the next three months or so (yes, they will be longest three months ever), but still want to challenge myself. Does something special have to happen for it to be "YOUR" day? I had so much fun surprising someone for her birthday as she didn't expect it, but I loved to see her smile. But, today is your day. Today is my day. Nothing extraordinary needs to happen and no one needs to sing to you, but every day can be your day when you BLOOM. When you know you are where you are meant to be, without question and without regret. You feel it. You become swallowed by the very surroundings that others just see as there. It becomes who you are and you love every minute of it. One of the very first ideas that came to my head when I started this journey was "It starts today." Today. I was quick to point out when it was someone else's day but never took ownership of my chance at having a day for me. But I deserve today. I am a great friend, love my family, and work hard at making this world better. And because of that, today is my day.