Last week, a death in my family turned into a homicide investigation.
We felt cheated out of time we would have had with this person. Another Thanksgiving. Another Christmas. Another New Year.
One more shared laugh. One more smile. More quality time.
I’m not sharing this with you, because I want your sympathy. {Even though, I’m extremely grateful for all of the emails and messages you all have sent me.}
I’m sharing this with you to stir up some uncomfortable feelings.
You refuse to apologize to your spouse, because that would mean giving in. You don’t take that painting class and tell yourself, “I’ll do it the next time they offer it.” You put off vacation with your family. You force yourself to continue reading that boring book, because you don’t want to be a quitter.
Apologize. Take the class. Go on vacation. Put that dull book down!
Stop stumbling through life. Pay attention. Make choices that move you closer to the life you crave.
I’m just as guilty as anybody of letting the overwhelming to-do list take over every once in a while.
But, the lesson I’ve been reminded of is simple: Stop putting things off for tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come.
I recorded this week’s video before any of this happened, but I think you’ll see that it’s the perfect topic for this week.
P.S. The background for this video is pictures I’ve taken of our three dogs. Aren’t they soooooooo adorable?
My heart is with you at the moment. Losing anyone is difficult and the possibility of it being a homicide is just too horrible.
My “if only” is – “if only I didn’t have this damn day job”. I am trying to fit in lots of learning and art and blogging and marketing and a huge to do list into a teeny weeny space of time. And some days, the cards just fall down. But I need That Day Job a little longer so I can make this all happen. Oh yeah, and to pay the mortgage. And to eat and…. So I do the most and best I can with the time I have.
I can picture how I want my life and business to look like 1 year, 3 years and 5 years from now. If you’re gonna dream, dream big I say. My struggle is with finding all the stepping stones between here and there.
The last couple of weeks, I’ve been brainstorming my stepping stones. The small steps I can take now. And letting some of the expectation and pressure go so what I am doing is actually much more fun. This is my adventure – and It is supposed to be fun, right?
Damn girl! Tell it like it is!
My momma died suddenly 4 years ago, and it changed everything. Her death was a trigger for me to really start living. It was time for me to stop messing around and start taking accountability for my life.
Thanks for the reminder to keep living my life in honor of my mom, and in service of showing others that the life you want REALLY is possible.
xo
Hi April,
Another great video post! Love the weekly inspiration I get from watching your videos. Also, LOVE the dogs photos!! They are precious!!!! (Of course, I love dogs and I am actually typing this post while watching the National Dog Show with one of my dogs on my lap!)
I want to wish you and your husband and your dogs a Happy Thanksgiving. I have you in my heart and thoughts this holiday as you go through the day without your loved one. I know how hard those first holidays can be as I lost my dad to cancer just before Christmas four years ago. Keep them in your heart and remember the good times. Hugs.
Hi April,
So sorry to hear your sad news, I lost my Dad a few months ago. Losing someone you love certainly makes you reevaluate how you are living your life that’s for sure. Thanks so much for the reminder, it is easy to slip back into the busyness of daily life.
I can certainly relate to your video, my problem is I don’t know exactly how I want my business to look in the long term or if what I am dreaming up is even a business or if it will actually be a job. I have a vision of combining my two worlds of my community sector work and my creative life. What I want to do has not been done before so I don’t even know if it’s possible.
I do have a clear vision of how I want my business and life to look in the next 1 year so I think I will focus on that and keep working towards my ultimate dream and see how it evolves and try not to stress about exactly how it will look.
When I started Artrepreneur earlier this year I had a vague idea of combining my two worlds but no clue what it would look like. Now I have a vision so I guess that’s progress 🙂
Take care xx
April, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
I couldn’t see the whole video. It just stopped after about 4 mins. i guess it’s a glitch on my end because it seems that everyone else could see it. But just after watching those 1st four mins, I got the jist of the video. My husband and I have been having conversations about this topic for awhile and have taken action on our dreams. They are small steps but important ones. And after accomplishing each one there is this immense filling of fullfillment.
The worst feeling in the world is regret. And what I don’t want to do is live the rest of my life according to social norms or “what people” think I should be doing. I am learning to listen very carefully to that restless feeling inside of me when I start to do certain things or when I’m not doing what truly makes me happy. I’ve realized that “restlessness” is my inner guide.
So for me it’s about following my life’s purpose responsibly ( I can’t impulsively quit my day job to do what I want when I’m the only breadwinner right now, but I can work towards my dream in baby steps) and not putting a deaf ear to my inner guide.
I’m so sorry about your loss.
Great video and message.
And I love your dogs! Especially the one with the black and orange face – he’s a Cutie.