Life Is Too Short To…

By the time you get to the empty nest stage of life, you realize that life is short. The days can zoom past awfully quickly, and those moments can never be regained.

All those passing years have taught me to appreciate each day as it comes. I remind myself each morning to pay attention—to notice the beauty around me, to take small risks, to enjoy the moment.

Don’t let the good stuff in life pass you by.

Remember that life is too short to:

• Hold grudges
• Play it safe all the time
• Eat cheap chocolate (or cheese, or whatever your favorite indulgence might be)
• Drink cheap wine
• Read books you don’t like (…except required reading for a class)
• Forget your childhood dreams
• Always color between the lines
• Skip celebrations of significant moments (like a promotion, a dream fulfilled, or a son’s engagement)
• Ignore that road you’ve always wanted to explore
• Spend all your time indoors
• Waste time watching bad TV
• Spend too much energy working and not enough playing (workouts in the gym do not necessarily count as playing)

• Only get one scoop (Moderation is good, but sometimes you gotta live a little)
• Only eat at franchise restaurants
• Be afraid to try it at least once
• Not pursue the art you were made to create (or the venture you were made to lead)
• Put off saying “I love you” or “I am proud of you”
• Spend more time ranting than being thankful
• Cry over spilled milk (life is full of little disasters, but they don’t have to ruin our days)
• Fill up on junk food
• Ignore what your doctor and your body are telling you
• Ignore the beauty in your own backyard
• Use only generic soap and hand lotion (when it comes in so many awesome scents)

• Be serious all the time
• Keep your gifts to yourself
• Avoid having guests over because your home is less than perfect
• Hoard your money, talents, and time
• Not spend time snuggling with babies or kittens
• Pursue a dream, even when it seems ridiculously out of reach (if you’re following your passions, it will be worth it even if you never reach the ultimate goal)

I hope this reminder will help you have a more awesome day!