Before It’s Too Late.

As I sit here in that space between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I’m reminded, again, that our time on this earth is finite. I think about my sister… how she was here one day and gone the next. I never got to say goodbye. And if I’m honest, I never really told her how much I cared for her and loved her.

I grew up believing there was an “order of operations” to loss: first grandparents, then parents, then siblings, then us.
Life has shown me how untrue that is.
Children die before their parents. Younger siblings pass before older ones. Grandchildren leave before grandparents.

Time is finite, but the ending is always a mystery.

So what do we do with that mystery?

We make our lives matter, first to ourselves, and then to the people around us.

When I say “make your life matter,” I’m talking about the smallest, most ordinary places:
If you’re a friend, be the best friend you can be. Love deeply. Be kind. Be compassionate when it’s called for. Be tough when it’s needed.
If you’re an uncle, be the best uncle you can be.
Be the best version of yourself possible.

And communicate your feelings to the people you love while you have the chance. You never know when the last opportunity will be.

This also applies to the people you love and are fighting with. Even if the relationship is unhealthy, forgiveness is still possible. And, it doesn’t have to involve the other person. Forgiveness is something we do for us, not for them.

Remember: words aren’t the only way to express how you feel.
Show people.
Spend time with them.
Give a hug.
Offer a small token of appreciation.
Do it in a way that serves them; not too much, not too little, just right.

Dying is a natural part of the life cycle.
Living is what takes courage.

Go with power,
Jason

Try this Simple Practice:

The Courage Letter

Write this letter as a way of saying what matters. Be honest, warm, and real.
Fill in each line with whatever feels true for you, no perfection, just sincerity.

Dear _______________________,

I know we haven’t talked in a while, and I wanted to reach out.

Here’s where I’m at right now:

Is there anything you’ve been wanting to tell me?

What I miss about you the most is:

One thing you taught me that has stayed with me is:

Thank you for:

Let’s not wait so long next time.
With all my love,

XXXXXXXXX

Want these prompts in meditation form? CLICK HERE.