Few are given a second chance - what will you do with yours?

As I came on to WA for the first time today after another busy work day, I was struck by two of the very first blogs I read - both of which announced the passing of loved ones of members of the affiliate community.

After reading them, the fragility of life dawned on me and moreso now more than ever, as we continue to live with the Covid-19 virus - a plague that has added another dimension to the other illnesses that we've lived with for so long - diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma...the list goes on.

So many of us complain about mundane things - it's too hot, or too cold, that long-awaited package arrived a day late, the car wouldn't start, the dog destroyed the flower garden, the neighbour parked his car in our parking space, that guy we're not too fond of at work got promoted, the kids won't clean their rooms and leave dirty dishes in the sink!

Guess what? If we weren't alive, we wouldn't have the opportunity to try again, to love again, to say I'm sorry, to do something kind, to live the dream we never thought we could, to forgive, to say I love you.

I've been kind of a control freak most of my adult life. Trust me when I say, life will never be perfect or go the way you planned it no matter how hard you try. I've learned the hard way to do it one day at a time - sometimes, one minute, one hour at a time. To let go and let God. It continues to be a work in progress.

When we're gone, we no longer have the chance to do any of the things that we'd always

wished. The pandemic has taught me that life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Thousands have left this earth in a hospital bed, hooked up to tubes, alone.

So, don't wait to start that business you've always wanted to do. Take that dream trip (once it's safe to do so!). Check off another 'to do' on your bucket list. Dance in the rain. Knock on the door of that person you haven't spoken to in years (even if they stopped speaking to you first!). Tell that guy/girl what they mean to you today. Say thank you and I appreciate you to your colleagues. Give your kids a hug and tell them how proud you are to be their parent (even if their rooms are a dump). Forgive your spouse. Forgive yourself.

Tomorrow isn't promised.

Sometimes life gives you a second chance, because you weren't ready the first time.

Cheers!

Maria