Enjoy Life’s Journey
As I anxiously waited for the funeral service to begin, a little girl sitting behind me complained to her mother. “I can’t see!” she said with a bit of a whine. Her mother assured her, “there is nothing to see, sweetie.” This couldn’t have been farther from the truth. The funeral was for my daughter-in-law’s grandfather, a man that despite health challenges and other setbacks, had garnered respect and admiration throughout his life.
What was there to see? From my perspective, plenty! The rows were filled with friends, acquaintances and family members who wanted to pay their respects to a man who understood the joy of living. The French call it joie de vivre - the joy of living. The Italians say nienta sense gioia – nothing without joy. For the Greeks, it’s kefi – the spirit of joy, passion and enthusiasm. A lesson for us all-whatever you’re doing, enjoy the journey.
The popular quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “life is a journey, not a destination” can be found on posters, bumper stickers and the like and has been paraphrased and used to motivate a sales force. As is the case with any over used expression or phrase, we tend to overlook its significance and dismiss the message entirely.
Thank goodness for funerals then to remind us that life is a journey. It will throw you some curves and you’ll have some detours along the way but God intended for us to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible.
When I ponder my life and the consistent commitment to achieving my goals, I often felt like I was running a race rather than enjoying the ride. Reflecting on the funeral and how life can be fleeting, I am making a list of things to help me enjoy the balance of my journey. I would encourage you to do the same. Here are some ideas to consider:
- I will make sure to have fun. I will smile. I will laugh. I will tell jokes. I will go fishing more often. I will beat my family in tennis. I will take long walks on the beach with my wife. I will have more pie fights.
- I will continue to place a priority on spending time with family and friends, enjoying the activities that we can do together.
- I will enjoy God’s gifts of nature. A walk in the park, the birds chirping, the flowers blooming and the waves rolling along the shore. I will take at least 15 minutes a day to remind me to slow down and “smell the roses.”
- I will control my reactions and appreciate other people’s differences. I will let others win the battles that don’t matter. It’s just not worth getting worked up over things.
- I will recharge my batteries sooner and more often. As an entrepreneur it is easy to work 24/7. But I know that I should take time off, let my body relax and reward myself with breaks.
- I will be happy with where I am at any given time and give my all to the people I am with at the time but eagerly and optimistically anticipate the thrill of the next great adventure.
I hope my introspection gives you some ideas. Please take time out of your busy day to contemplate your journey and make it one enjoyable ride! You only live once.
“Enjoy all that you have while pursuing all you want” Jim Rohn
About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 30 years and founder of Little Things Matter.
Todd Smith writes on some of my favorite topics. I hope you enjoy his writings as much as I do. I hope so, that is why I shared his wisdom and insight with you here. What are some ways that you purpose to enjoy and celebrate your life’s journey?
Enjoy your day!
Hello there.
Twitter
Facebook
Lovely article. The last funeral I attended was many years ago but it was difficult because for a close friend. But we honored him by turning the event into a full blown Irish wake and it really helped everyone through the evening. Nearly crossed the line at one point – a few guys decided to reclaim our friend and bring him back to the party and stand him up in the corner – they’d convinced themselves he would have wanted that. Truth is, he would have LOVED it!
That’s a great funny story! When an influential person passes away, it seems like it always gets us to thinking and looking at our life and asking the question……”am I making a difference?” Hopefully it spurs us on to do better and greater things.
Lynn Jones recently posted..Enjoy Life’s Journey
Lynn,
You’ve done a masterful job of putting the important stuff in life into perspective. We are here but one time, so to make the most of it.
I have already written something I want read at my funeral. It just poured out of me one day and I can only hope that the message will be heeded while the celebration goes on.
If I may, I would add a couple to your list, “I will always run from the herd.” “I will think for myself and fearlessly speak my mind.”
Thanks for making us think!
RICK
Rick Lelchuk recently posted..The Network Marketing Paradox
Rick, that’s a great one. I love it. Not always easy to do, but helps us become an individual who stands up for what we feel is right and what we believe in. I appreciate your comments.
Lynn Jones recently posted..“Your Twitter Account is Currently Suspended”
Why is it that it takes death, or almost dying to help us start living? Lynn, thanks so much for the reminder that family, relaxation, gratitude, and savoring are keys to a successful life well-lived.
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted..Little Known Ways to Live Life Beyond Success
Isn’t that the truth. Often times it takes some tragedy or milestone to make us wake up and notice what is happening around us and then to immerse ourselves in it. Life is short. It is so important to see the miracles in our everyday life.
Lynn Jones recently posted..“Your Twitter Account is Currently Suspended”
Lynne…
What a great way to put things in perspective. Life is about choices. We can choose to be happy or sad. We can choose to run like chickens without heads, or we can choose to be calm and organized. You hit a nerve, in a positive way, that we all get guilty of and I am thankful for this great post.
Martin Casper recently posted..Is Social Media Creating a Self-Serving Society?
I agree Martin. It is a powerful post. Lets figure out a way to remind ourselves daily to live with this attitude.
Bless you!
Lynn Jones recently posted..“Your Twitter Account is Currently Suspended”
I remember when my aunt died on my 6th birthday and a couple days later, they had her funeral. I had seen her alive the previous Christmas and she was a very nice woman. She gave me one of my most favorite toys ever, Cheer Bear…and was frankly my first “teddy”.
My parents and grandparents would not let me go see her, and took turns waiting with me outside of the church where the funeral was held. I kept asking to go see… and was given the same exact answer.
It was not until I was a teen and asked my grandmother more about my aunt. I had known her through a child’s eyes. I could have known her for all the great things she has done earlier on. I am not angry about it… but children can learn a lot during a funeral for a relative.
Nile recently posted..How To Be More Relatable to Your Readers
Thank you for sharing Nile. It’s funny how, as children, we see things. If there are no adults to influence our innocent outlook, then we usually believe the best.
Lynn Jones recently posted..“Your Twitter Account is Currently Suspended”
This is a good reminder to enjoy the journey. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Sometimes we get caught up in the daily grind and forget that.
Melodie Kantner recently posted..Have You Heard About The Home Business Radio Network?
So true Melodie. Life has a way of interfering with what is really important.
Lynn Jones recently posted..“Your Twitter Account is Currently Suspended”
Yes, life is truly a journey thus we should make our journeys memorable and one that we can say that we have enjoyed. Let us not dwell on our past mistakes but make our life worth living. Let us not forget to stop and smell the roses. Life is too short, so let us make the most out of it. Thanks Lynne. I loved your list and hope that I can accomplish them for myself too.
Thanks for you nice comment. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy around us. Let’s make it our aim to see the everyday miracles and not to let Life, because it is so busy, over shadow the sunshine each day.
Lynn Jones recently posted..“Your Twitter Account is Currently Suspended”