It’s been 10 years...

It’s been 10 years since I lived at home with my mom.

It’s been 10 years since she made me get in bed by a certain time each night.

It’s been 10 years since my mom woke me up for school each morning.

It’s been 10 years since she got mad at me for running late.

It’s been 10 years since I rode a school bus.

It’s been 10 years since I had to go to school 5 days a week.

It’s been 10 years since my mom made me do homework every night.

It’s been 10 years since I had to take my lunch at a certain time every day.

It’s been 10 years since I had to eat dinner at the dinner table.

It's been 10 years since I had chores.

It’s been 10 years since I had to follow class rules.

It’s been 10 years since I could have detention.

It’s been 10 years since I had a curfew to be home at a certain time.

It’s been 10 years since I was told what to do.

It’s been 10 years since I could get grounded.

It’s been 10 years since I had to follow my mom’s household rules.

It’s been 10 years since I have seen my high school classmates.

Today...

Today I live alone.

Today I go to bed when I want.

Today I get myself up for school and for work.

Today I get mad at myself if I am running late.

Today I drive myself to work.

Today I go to school when I want

Today I do my homework when I want to.

Today I eat lunch when I want.

Today I eat dinner where I want.

Today I clean when I want.

Today I don’t have to follow school rules or my parents’ rules.

Today I can’t get detention.

Today I come and go as I please.

Today I do what I want when I want.

Today I can’t get grounded.

Today I follow my own rules.

Today I see people when I want to see them.

This morning I woke up to a group message from about 50 of my high school classmates. The time has come to plan our 10-year high school class reunion. This really puts things into perspective.

10 years ago, I remember being 17 and trying to plan my life. I was trying to figure out what path I wanted to take in life. It seemed as if I had so much time ahead of me. I felt invincible.

Now here I am 10 years later, still trying to plan my life and decide which path I want to take.

And boy, does time fly? It doesn’t seem like it has been 10 years. Where does all the time go?

It really puts things into perspective about how short life really is. Time is ticking every single day. Time is running out. This isn’t a practice life. Life is happening right now. Imagine how quickly the last 10 years of your life has gone by. Then imagine adding another 10 and another 10. Soon, your life has flashed by before you know it.

So, what are you waiting for? Do the things you want to do. Don’t wait. Life doesn’t wait and time doesn’t wait.

Live your life so that you aren’t saying...

I wish I had started that 10 years ago.

I wish I had went there 10 years ago.

I wish I had done that 10 years ago.

I regret not doing that 10 years ago.

What if that happened 10 years?

Instead, plan your life so that you are saying...

I am so glad I started that 10 years ago.

I am so glad I went there 10 years ago.

I am so glad I did that 10 years ago.

I am so glad that happened 10 years ago.

Remember, life is short. You are the author of your story and nobody holds the pen except for you. Make it happen.