Standing at the crossroads, waving goodbye to the novel that started it all, the top of our family tree, the person who had raised us all--my dear grandmother-- I have come to realize that even if we lived life the way we wanted, doing everything we wanted to do, for the people we wanted to, we will always wish we did more at the end of it all.
Many of us have probably faced the loss of a loved one. In the midst of our mourning, we probably all have had thoughts of "Why didn't I talk to them more?", "Why did I act this way at that time?", and "Why didn't I spend more time with them?".
And the truth is, we all are aware that we have a limited, tangible existence, and that is what makes each and every life so precious, and time so valuable. It is why some, who have so much wealth, feel empty, and some others, who don't have much, feel content and satisfied. They have discovered that true happiness isn't found in the materialistic things, but in experiences and shared moments. It isn't about keeping appearances, but staying true to one's self and in turn, discovering that relationships built on the same heart song are much more fulfilling and enlightening.
And needless to say, we've all had those bouts of inspiration to live life a little fuller. We make plans, we make goals, we create incentives, but more or less, reality always finds its way to interfere with that newfound mentality. We're human. We have emotions. There are days where we'll feel irritated by our loved ones, where we'll want to do nothing but be alone. We're not always going to be running through life, accomplishing things left and right. And because of our inherent nature as humans, we will always want more, we will always crave to do more, to experience more, to live a little more passionately.
And that's totally okay.
Because without extremes, gratefulness and appreciation wouldn't exist. If there was no loss, we wouldn't learn to cherish what we have. If there was no darkness, we would take light for granted. If there was no loneliness, we wouldn't appreciate friendship and togetherness. If there wasn't any hate, would we have learned to love more fiercely? If there was no death, would we have taken initiative to truly live our lives? Would we have valued anyone else's presence if we had forever?
We were all truly blessed to have existed in the same lifetime as those we cherish. And even more so, we were truly blessed to have had countless memories with them. If those loved ones have passed on, all we can do now, in their absence, is take all those beautiful moments forward with us in life as a testament that memories are more valuable than anything with a price tag.
Let loss be a push forward to not let the little things get in the way of the bigger picture in our relationship with those that are still present with us. Do not let insignificant things become a division, but rather a catalyst to growing closer together.
We will always wish we did more at the end of it all, so why not do as much as we can with the time that is given to us?
