I Blinked
I Discovered Life Rushes By
James 4:14
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].
Yes this is in the bible; I've read it many times and I was told by so many older people when I was young how quick it will all flash by and then poof, I will cease to exist.
I can attest to this. I was once a young boy building forts in the woods and riding my bike and I blinked. I was suddenly driving and working my business mowing 10-12 hrs a day.
I blinked again and I was married with a baby daughter. I blinked again and I was at my wife's graveside. One more blink and I'm 59. I'm that old bastard that I used to bitch about in front of me.
As seasons go, I'm suddenly in the fall of my life. I don't know how it happened nor do I remember getting here but holy crap, here I am; Bam it happened.
This whole short journey has taught me a few things we should all think about:
- Don't stop playing, don't ever stop being a goof ball. Play and laugh and be ridiculous because once you lose that you become a bitter cranky person.
- Love! Take risks and love even if you've been burned by past relationships. Tear down the defensive walls you have built and risk it again and again because there is no feeling like the butterflies in your belly when you hug and hold that someone special, I know this for a fact.
- Let it go! Just let go of all the bull shit in your life, stop being so damn offended by every little thing, for God's sake. Just stop it and live. If something offends you, just move on because when on your deathbed, it won't matter one bit at all. Trust me; I've seen it.
- Get out of your damn comfort zone and do it now; do it boldly! Don't worry what you look like or what other people think. Just get out and do the things you've always wanted to do because once you blink again, you won't be able to. So dress as silly as you want and dye your hair purple; who cares? Wear that dress and eat off your best china.
I was always so paranoid about doing things myself, such as traveling or going out to eat, I couldn't do it by myself because I felt awkward and out of place. Even the car shows, which are my passion, were off limits alone but I decided to live and stop this ridiculousness and now, my best moments are breaking out and going about things myself with no fear.
The last lesson I learned from patients in Hospice.
I've talked to at least 30-40 people on their death beds and every single one has said they didn't regret anything they did, even some of the bad things, no... the only regrets they had were all of the things they didn't do, all of the dreams they never lived, and places they never went; that girl or guy they didn't have the guts to ask out or the music in their life they never played.
Don't grow old and bitter. Don't stop playing, and for God's sake, don't die with your music still in you.
Raise some hell, dance, sing, take risks and love hard. Live your life fearlessly and be that crazy you that is dying to come out but you're too embarrassed because you don't know where you will be the next time you blink.
Copyright © 2022 Bill Renda
This is dedicated to my late wife Sasha, who pushed me out of the box and challenged my way of life. She pushed me to risk and take chances, to travel and explore and to be crazy and laugh like hell and mostly to love a woman like no man has ever; I miss you.
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