Seize the moment...

Life has a funny way of panning itself out. Just when you think that everything's working in your favour (for a change) something goes wrong and it all falls apart again. I've leant through the years that life's not about waiting for next year, next month, next week or even tomorrow. Life's about today and doing what makes you happy for each and every moment of each day you're blessed with. We just don't know what lies around the next corner and life's far too short to let precious moments pass us by. Sure, life is busy and we all have responsibilities, some of us more then others, but sometimes it's just good to just break out of the box. To not conform to that which is expected of us. To put ourselves on the line at the risk of ridicule and laughter. To take a chance at happiness. To love to the depths of our souls at the risk of heartache.

Two things have made me put this post up today, I've been meaning to for a while. First, an old family friend whom I don't know all that well, died this morning and it got me thinking about all the above again. Second, I recieved an e-mail from another friend with the following thought-provoking Instructions for Life: -

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson

3. Follow the three R's - Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

7. When you realise you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmostphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Most of these "rules" are common sense to most of us, others get you thinking about love and life in general.

Anyway, seizing the moment, I just wanted to say that I know lots of you, my fellow bloggers, have plenty of personal hurdles to overcome at the moment. I love you all lots, each in your own special way. You are all amazing women and you deserve the best that life has to offer. Take time to enjoy the small things that we often don't give a second thought to. Sometimes when things are really bumpy, it's good to take note of the things you're grateful for. And remember, when you're down at your lowest, things can only get better.

Lots of love,

Sue XXX