In the past two weeks I have sat on the periphery of two heartbreakingly tragic and unexpected deaths. Deaths that have left permanent gaping holes in the hearts of people I love. Death has always served as a bit of a wake-up call. We all say “you could get hit by a bus tomorrow” but deep down don’t really think it will happen. So we take the day for granted. We take our relationships for granted. We complain about things that don’t matter like the traffic and Monday mornings. We wait. We wait for the next best thing, for this to settle down or that to work out. We live in the past and the future and not in this moment.

Although this quote is more negative than the ones I usually gravitate towards, it just rings such truth to what I am trying to convey today:

“We are all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn’t. We are terrorized and flattened by our trivialities. We are eaten up by nothing.” - Charles Bukowski.

So today I’m reminding you:

• Every ordinary day is a miracle and these ordinary days are the entirety of your life.
• You can choose right this second to be both feet in, fully present in these moments.
• You can change your mood by putting on a great song, going out for a walk, or doing something kind for someone else.
• Choose forgiveness and hold on for dear life.
• Assume the best of everyone and experience that freedom.
• Appreciate every second you get to spend with the people you love.
• Go do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Do it now. Sign up for it today.
• Stop hating on the bits of yourself you don’t like. Believe that you are freaking awesome and carry that confidence around in the world.
• We leave behind our art and our love. So find your craft. And spread kindness, compassion and love like confetti at a wedding, in every interaction.

I know my words are nothing more profound than something else you ventured across in your daily facebook scroll, but I implore you to stop and listen, reflect and act. As much as we think we are entitled to grow old, the Universe doesn’t always work that way. Find the extraordinary in today. Today is your life.

With all my love to those deep in grief, you know who you are.

Christina