Important Life Lesson #1 — Don’t Procrastinate!
Life is truly precious. This statement has never held so much weight and been so true. If the challenges that we, as a global community, have faced in the past year didn’t put things into perspective, nothing will. So, with that being said, here’s advice I give to my own kids, anyone who asks and for yours truly.
Stop dreaming and making excuses. Take control of your life and pursue your passions.
Take the first step or possibly your first leap! Pursue any and all opportunities presented to you. And yes. You may hit bumps along the way but success doesn’t come without understanding what struggles and failures are.
Your first step can be as simple as reading more or taking on that recipe you’ve always wanted to try. It can be making some travel plans (the world will open up again!) Whatever it is, go for it.
We all become lazy in our ambitions. We delay and make excuses. Don’t procrastinate. You won’t regret it.
Important Life Lesson #2 —Nurture Your Relationships.
Lack of physical contact with friends and family pushed us into finding ways to keep communication lines open and nurture our relationships. I don’t think anyone realizes how important social connections really are until they are taken away. And 2020 did just that. We all had an epiphany of sorts This once in a century event revealed we truly need each other .
For some of us, we found out who we really want to spend time with and who really mattered. And, unfortunately, there were those who really didn’t matter as much anymore. I, for one, feel more connected to my family and close friends than I did before.
Like most, not being able to physically connect with all of my family members and friends was the biggest challenge. I’m a hugger and this restriction was so difficult.
So don’t put off and don’t regret spending time with those you love. “According to hospice workers, one of the top regrets expressed by people on their deathbeds has to do with their family members. Dying people frequently wish they had spent more time with their kids, or their wife, or their siblings or their parents.”https://www.powerofpositivity.com/deathbed-regrets-revealed-by-nurses/
Important Life Lesson # 3 —Give and Receive Love Unconditionally.
Loving without conditions, without any limitations and without an ulterior motive is the best love. It’s called unconditional love.
We saw the sacrifices so many gave during this difficult year without expecting a personal benefit. But loving someone, human or furry, should just be because you love them no matter what.
Any pet owner can attest to the fact that our furry friends are the kings and queens of unconditional love. They don’t care if we didn’t shower that day, gained some weight or wore the same clothes for a week. They love us for us — warts and all. Read about my pandemic kitty adoption story by clicking here:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?p=1391
Important Life Lesson # 4 —Explore Your Passions.
2020 became the launch year of my website & personal storybook, “Follow My Yellow Brick Road.”
Writing has always been a passion of mine but life always seemed to get in the way. Being on lock down gave me an opportunity and time to reflect—to create a storybook that would center around my passions of travel, family, food and animals. (These are in no particular significant order!) Sharing my experiences and perspectives and revisiting memories has been a journey. But I have loved every minute of it!
So I ask of you to do the same. If you haven’t already, challenge yourself with a new skill, start planning that vacation (the world will open up again), read more. Whatever, it may be, just take the first step.
Important Life Lesson # 5 — Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
I’m a worrier and always have been. Learning that I really could not control certain things was an eye opener — especially in 2020.
“Let things roll off your shoulders. Don’t let things get you so upset.” Words of wisdom from my husband . I guess our personalities balance each other. 29 years is a testament to our success story.
Understanding what is truly a priority and what isn’t can be difficult for some. But by understanding what truly is important opens up time for us to focus on things that REALLY matter.
Important Life Lesson # 6 — Live in the Moment.
I’m a planner, a really BIG planner. Making lists and checking them twice is my special skill. Of course, I’m joking (well, maybe just a little!) 2020 threw me, like all of us, quite the curve ball. Not knowing what could happen each day made me learn to adapt and appreciate each day as it came. Appreciate all that is good in our lives and embrace it every so tightly.
Making sure that my loved ones were healthy and safe each day became my top priority.
I learned to actually take better care of myself too. I began to eat better, take a break and walk every day and just appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
Life is beautiful. Appreciate each and every moment.
Important Life Lesson # 7 — Home is Truly Our Sanctuary.
For the past year, spending most of our time inside our homes and apartments amplified how important these spaces are. I, along with many others out there, began to “nest” more than every before. The urge to clean and organize took on a new meaning for me. Rearranging furniture to accommodate remote work and schooling became the new past time for many of us.
“Home” became not only a place to live, eat and sleep but to work and learn. But ultimately this is where all memories start.
Important Life Lesson # 8 — Take Lots of Photos & Display Them!
This may seem like a silly life lesson but it’s really not. Photos play an important role in our lives. They remind us of loved ones, places, feelings and stories. Photos connect us to our past and present. So take lots of them and make sure to develop as many as you can. Display them in frames and albums throughout your homes, apartments and work spaces.
Don’t just leave them your memories on your cellphone!
One of my “lock down” projects was on my mind for a very long time — compiling and organizing thousands of photos taken over the years that were stored in boxes, folders, and photo albums in various spots in our home. I’m sure many of you can relate to this! I bought photo organizers and got to work. And I’m so glad I did.
Memories of our family, friends, celebrations, travels are ultimately the most important thing we will have in life. Cherish them!
