I have been doing some major soul searching over the past few weeks, after one of my students was shot and killed over something out of his control. He was 17. Yes, I said 17. A seventeen year old boy took his last breath two weeks ago. A young man that hugged me every day off of the bus, that had the best manners I could imagine, and the kindest heart.
Is it fair? What purpose does it serve? Why him? These are all questions that I may never be able to answer, but I must find peace in my heart and soul for it to serve a purpose in this world, to honor him.
I started thinking about all of the things that we focus our energy on; making our house payment, who just bought a new vehicle, our jobs, things that we can't change, things that our out of our control, our jealousy for others, and the list could go on for days, then it occurred to me, NONE of it matters. None of it.
What if you died at 17? How would you have been remembered?
What matters in life? Why are we here? What is our purpose?
Most people say, family. That's a cool answer, but what about your family matters? For me it is having off the wall conversations with my Uncle Bear about Mediterranean diets, to his old worker named Corn Dog, or my nephew putting a worm in his sister's hair at her graduation party and laughing until he had tears in his eyes, or sitting with my mom and dad telling stories on the veranda about life and laughing and enjoying EVERY moment of it. Having a fish fry and me telling Boo and Ms. B. about my students and how they nicknamed me "The Sheriff." Spending as much time with my girlfriends that I consider my family, eating, telling old stories, jumping off boats like we were in the junior high, still having bunking parties, and laughing until our stomach hurts in a crowded restaurant eating brunch.
I could go on and on, but the point is, enjoy it. Enjoy it in the moment. Stop and enjoy.
Life is short. Life is precious. Life is ugly. Life is beautiful. Life is what YOU make of it.
Life is short, so live it.
Life is precious, so embrace it.
Life is ugly, so learn from it.
Life is beautiful, so enjoy it.
Life is what you make of it, make it COUNT.
Change the world and fight hard to do it. Inspire and motivate others to do the same.
My challenge to you is this; reflect back on your 17 year old self. Have you changed? Have you grown? What advice would you have given yourself? I really want you to dig deep, it's not easy. I know what I see and I'm not proud, but I am just blessed that I have lived long enough to change my life, and Iv'e got a long way to go!
I hope you all have an awesome day and make a promise to yourself that you will, MAKE IT COUNT!
xoxo,
LMR
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