live deliberately ...

Dizzle once asked me what "Lost time is never found" meant. I simply told her that we never get a change to relive what has already happened. That if you waste your time or an opportunity, you don't get a chance to use it later.

The answer seemed to satisfy her eight year old mind. She said to me, "So, if you are mean you can't go back and unsay what you said, even if you're sorry. And, if you ate pizza, you can't go back and un-eat it. And, if you sleep all day you don't get to live that day again."  

Laughing, I said, "Yes, that the general idea."

Now, weeks later, I can't help but think about that quote. Sure, it tells us that you don't get a second chance at what has lapsed, but more than that I think it tells us to simply live deliberately.

It's easy to let life pass us by. We all get stuck in a routine of the boring and the mundane. It's then that things can become stressful, mind-numbing and cause you to lose your focus.

But, by choosing to live deliberately, you can stop all that and you'll never have to worry about the lost time that is never found.

Life is simply a series of choices. Some easier to make than others - from what you wear to what you eat to how you spend your time. So make your choices wisely.

Ask yourself, am I giving meaning and purpose to my choices?
Am I considering the effect of this decision now? 10 minutes from now? 10 years from now?
What will be gained from this and what will be lost?
Who will I hurt and who will I help?
Will this choice strengthen or weaken me? Will it get me to where I want to be?
Is there an intention behind my action? Or am I just following along?
Am I living deliberately?

Every action has a reaction.
And lost time is never found, so are you making the most of every moment?

I'm trying to. Every single day.

birthday wishes ...

Dear Dizzle,

Dizzle, one week old ...

Dizzle, on the eve of her 8th birthday ...

Eight years ago, you entered my world and I instantly realized how little I knew about love and sacrifice and what really matters. Everyday I am given the opportunity to love more than I ever imagined, sacrifice more than I ever thought I could and surround myself with the people, not the things, that make life worth living. I am given this chance everyday because you are in my life.

It would be easy to sugarcoat it and say that every moment since your birth has been magical, that with everyday I have been the perfect parent and you, the perfect child. The thing is, that would be a boldfaced lie. I am not perfect. I yell. I throw tantrums. I fumble. I fall. Sometimes, I get so lost that it's not clear who is the adult in our relationship.

And I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for all those moments. I'm sorry for forgetting that you're just a kid. And I'm sorry for treating you with less than 100% respect. I am your example and I should give it my all, every minute of every day.

Over the past eight years, you have given me a fair share of trouble. From food fights in your toddler years to fashion fights now, you've always managed to make yourself heard. You've never caved or accepted that you should be anyone less than exactly who you want to be. You are stubborn and passionate to a fault - a fault that I love.

My daughter, I have cherished every single second of the past eight years and I look forward to all we have in store. I know we will face numerous challenges, but the moments of bliss will outweigh any negativity life can throw our way. We both need to remember that.

Dizzle, today, on your 8th birthday, I have a wish (or a few wishes) for you.

• I wish that you'll never forget who you are and who you want to be. People will try to sway and discourage you. Don't let them. Belief in self will get you far in life.
• I wish that you never believe that you're too cool to hold my hand or kiss me goodbye. You never know when it will be your last chance to do so, so don't let a fear of embarrassment hold you back.
• I wish that you could always have faith that things will work out for the best. Just because things don't look great now, doesn't mean that it will stay that way. Everything happens for a reason. Trust that life will give you an explanation when you are ready to receive it.

My love, I could never express what you mean to me and I wish you endless happiness, not only today, but for all of your days. Dizzle, I love you to infinity and beyond, forever and ever. Happy birthday!

Love,
Mom