If I looked back at the last year of my life and thought about the moments that stood out to me, I would remember the glorious ones along with the terrifying ones, but one day in particular would stand out…
When I was 23 weeks pregnant I was driving (thankfully alone) and got hit head on by another driver. I cant put into words how a situation like that changed me so deeply. I didn’t think of myself for one moment… but I thought of my unborn baby immediately and how fragile being alive is.
I hope to share more about this story in a future post. The point is, that moment changed me completely, and right down to my core. I have spent almost an entire year now living like it could be my last. Some might say that is extreme thinking, but for me, loosing my life felt so real that day –I realized anything could happen and that any day might infact be my last.
Source
The above quote is actually a free printable and you can find it by following the source where it is provided for you. 🙂 I love that. I think it would look perfect framed and would be a beautiful daily reminder.
I also love the quote in itself.
“Live you life on purpose” has been my mantra this year. I have never spent more time staring into the eyes of my babies, holding them, telling them I love them, making meals for my family, creating moments with my loved ones, learning more about subjects that have interested me, holding little hands more, stroking cheeks more, saying I love you more, and holding my tongue more. It has been a whole year of change and I am glad to say that I am finally living my life on purpose.
I have stopped blaming the way I am on someone else, genetics, circumstances or the way I was raised. Instead I am trying to change the parts about me that I am not happy with one day at a time.
I want to live my life on purpose and not just have one day turn into another. I want to live like today is my last…because it might infact be.
I want to be present with my family and to really be a part of their everyday life. The mundane things. Brushing the little teeth at the back of their mouths, stroking a hot forehead in the middle of the night, lovingly attending my children, making lunches and leaving love notes inside, being sweet when I feel exhausted, keeping my negative thoughts to myself and replacing them with positive ones, choosing my words carefully, learning to edify instead of tearing down, forgiving when it is not earned or asked for, loving when I don’t feel like it….
The list could go on and on.
Living my life on purpose.
Not just going with the flow…
Being the influence instead of the easily influenced.
Choosing positivity.
Every single day.
I hope you will join me on this journey. The one that happens every day, despite your feelings or circumstances, despite your wants or desires, despite the weather or how much quality sleep you got.
I hope you will join me on living your life to make a difference.
Because today is yesterday’s tomorrow and because YOU
might be the only difference in someone elses journey.
Blessings to you my friends,
I hope you have a simple sunday with your loved ones.
xo
Kathryn
January 13, 2013 at 9:57 pmWow, that's amazing… My pastor hubby has taken this very phrase as our church theme this year, and he just preached an awesome message about it this morning! And then I turn on the computer, and, behold, your beautifully encouraging, challenging post! I think God's trying to tell me something 😉
This year I have taken "focus" as my "word of the year", because as good as I am at muli-tasking, I am very BAD at not focusing and really paying attention to what I am doing at the time– whether it be spending time with my children, talking with my hubby, or sweeping the floor 😉 But I think "purpose" is a very close partner to that! I need to make sure that every action I do has a purpose– I have too much to do, and too many littles to love, to do things that don't matter!
Thank you again for the gentle, well-written reminder!
bethanygier
January 14, 2013 at 3:45 amKathryn, I also loved attending our church today and hearing our Pastor speak about having one year to live and how to do so abundantly. I am like you, and it is hard to be present when we as women are such good multi taskers. I love that you took the time to comment and to share. 🙂 I hope to use your word for this year too, as it is always a good one to rememeber and improve upon.
Chat soon.
xo
Cathy
January 14, 2013 at 6:35 pmI wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. But after reading this post….wow! Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
bethanygier
January 16, 2013 at 4:21 amCathy, thank you for your sweet words they mean so much. I loved visitign your blog and cant wait to connect again!
xo