Three years ago, my wife and I decided to go on our first trip to Europe. We thought about it for a long time. We planned it and saved money so we could enjoy the trip. We had five countries in mind: France, Italy, Spain, England, and Germany. With the help of our daughter Samentha who was living in Belgium with her husband, we narrowed the list down to three places; France, Spain, and Italy.
During that trip to Europe, we considered each country as a milestone. We made a very long list of things to do and places to see. But what made that vacation more enjoyable were the many small and great moments that occurred along the journey.
Life is like a journey with a point of departure and a final destination. If we were to focus only on these 2 points, life here on earth, could have been boring because we don’t remember the circumstances of the events of our births and the time of returning is so unpredictable and can seem too far in the future. What make life more fun are the moments (small or big) and milestones that happen along the way. For example, in many cultures we celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day. Today, our Mexican friends are celebrating Cinco De Mayo; a time when family members and friends gather together to remember their victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This was a great milestone—a significant moment—in the history of Mexico.
As we look at milestones, one can divide them into two categories; predictable/planned and unpredictable/abrupt. The predictable milestones include birthdays, Christmas Days, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Communion Days, Baptism Days, Sweet Sixteen events, etc. Events such as the ones like Cinco De Mayo, independence days were unpredictable and abrupt before they became predictable. There are unpredictable events such as earthquakes and tsunami that change the way we do things. No matter the nature of the milestones, we need to take a moment to embrace them, to enjoy them, to learn from them, and to allow them to shape our character and help us to grow and to continue strong on the road of life.
Do you take time to enjoy the precious moments of life and to celebrate each major milestone of your life? Do you take a moment to reflect upon these milestones and learn from them? Do you take a moment to record them so you can remember them?
What is a life that is not lived? Let us take a moment to enjoy life and to create memories in our hearts and minds that will never be erased. Let us take a moment to think about the purpose of this life. Let us take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this creation. Let us take a moment to thank God for the gift of life and for the beauty of this earth. Let us take a moment to breathe deeply and be grateful for each breath we take. Let us take a moment to express gratitude and to show love and compassion to one another.
Let us take a moment to live.
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Thank you for your time!!! Illens Dort – authour of Thinking and Acting with a Compassionate Heart. To buy a copy go to https://www.amazon.com/author/Illensdort