Live, Laugh, Love Passionately

Most of you following my blog know that for the past month I have been reading the book "One month to live" by Kerry and Chris Shook. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This book has forced me to take a look into the deepest part of my heart. It has challenged me to ask myself the hard questions like "What am I doing to make a difference?" "What am I doing that requires faith?" "What legacy will I leave behind when I leave this temporary home"

In the last few weeks I have been reminded that the most important things in life are not material objects, not money, not jobs. The most important things in this world are God, people, relationships and special time spent with each. This book has broken my journey on this Earth into 4 sections;

Live Passionately~ I have been reminded to live each day as if today is my last. "Someday" does not exist as a day of the week. So the things that I keep putting off for tomorrow are things that can get done today. Remember to smile, to laugh and to love with everything you have.

Love Completely~ This section has taught me the time spent with loved ones is special and precious. I have learned that there are so many distractions in life we seem to have time for and that our relationships are the first things to suffer from that. I have also learned in this section that God sends people into our lives to be "sandpaper people" or people to teach us something. In life so many people cross our path and there is a reason for each and every one of those people. Each person is sent to teach us something. I pray that you invest yourself in people and that you open your heart and mind to learn something from each and every person God sends into your path.

Learn Humbly~ This section was a hard one to get through because it forced me to really study myself in every aspect of my life and to really ask myself if I am living in the path that God has chosen for me, or am I living in a path I chose for myself. If forced me to look at the tools God has given me and ask myself if I am using them to spread his word and to be Jesus to the world. One part of this section really stood out to me. It was a quote from Erma Bombeck that said

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me"

When I stand before God I want to be able to say the same. I want to be able to say that I did the best I could to use every bit of talent he entrusted me with. He has given me the tools, and it's my job to use them. Are you using the tools he gave you?

Leave Boldly~ This was the last section of the book and it was in this section that I was taught about creating a legacy that will impact many generations after me. In this section I was presented with the task of writing my own obituary. Sounds easy right?!? NOT!! It presented itself to be much harder than I thought it would be. Leaving a lasting legacy is something we all have the power to do. Each of us will be remembered for different things. What will you be remembered for?

As we continue on in this journey called life we must remember that we can't go back and start over, we can't go back and change things but we can start today making our future great and our legacy long lasting. I learned that passion gives life to this journey we call life and that love is the foundation of passion.

Love+Integrity+Forgiveness+Enthusiasm=LIFE

until next time...love and peace

~amber~