The Back Nine

The Back Nine –  

You know, .. time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is.. The Back Nine of my life and it catches me by surprise.

How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and the back nine was so far off that I could not fathom it or even imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...my friends are retired, getting grey, ... they move slower and when I see an older person now, some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change....not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant, .. but like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will.. I just fall asleep where I sit! 

So, if you're not on the Back Nine yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly!  Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you're on the back nine or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life" is a gift to you.   The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

A question for you - why are you here ?

A question for you: Why are you here?    

 I mean, Why are you living? Have you ever contemplated that?  “What’s the reason I’m here, living this life? What do I want out of this life? What do I want to do? What do I want to experience? Why?    ”We’re all so busy with the everyday work –we live a fast-paced life with endless to-do lists and obligations. And with our phones and the internet, there’s an abundance of distractions that the noise never stops. The only time we get a break is if we make time to rest. And a lot of us miss even that. So what’s the point? Why are we doing so much? To get some perspective, let’s consider this: At the end of your life, how would you want to look back at your life? How would you want to feel? The truth is…You probably wouldn’t be thinking: “I should have been more productive. Or I should have worked more.” You probably could care less about whether you were good enough or doing enough. More likely … You’d be appreciating all the small moments where you truly felt alive and wishing you could have had more of those. 

With this in mind, take some time to remember why you’re here.         Don’t forget the things that truly matter.

 Live your life the way you want to, for yourself & not others.

Live life to the fullest.

Experience all that you can experience.

Find your zest for life.Your passion.Your adventure.Your light.

Have the courage to FEEL with all your heart –the sadness and the joy.

Feel everything.That is your GIFT as a human being.

Spend time with the ones you love.Tell them you love them.Laugh with them.Learn from them.Have fun!

Experience all the joys that life has to offer.

 Let yourself be truly happy in this current moment.

 Appreciate all the things you have to be grateful for. 

Do what makes you come alive. 

You are the most beautiful when you are fully ALIVE, beaming and excited for life. Think of those moments when life is fun and worth living. Be intentional about creating more of those moments, as often as possible. Infuse them into your everyday. That is why you’re here. To come alive, to feel alive, to live a life worth living. So - Rock on!

" November we Remember " - " Supermarket Flowers"

 "Supermarket Flowers"

I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day-old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made
Memories of a life that's been loved

Took the "Get Well Soon" cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
Dad always told me, "Don't you cry when you're down"
But, mom, there's a tear every time that I blink

Oh, I'm in pieces. It's tearing me up but I know
A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved

So, I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back
He'll say, "Hallelujah, you're home"

I fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case
John said he'd drive, then put his hand on my cheek
And wiped a tear from the side of my face

And I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived

So, I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go, when God takes you back
He'll say, "Hallelujah, you're home"

Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back, he said, "Hallelujah, you're home"

Ed Sheeran

Supermarket Flowers tells a story of bereavement which many people felt they could relate to. The lyrics speak of ‘a life that’s been lived’ and someone spreading their wings and being taken back by God.

Because he uses the word mum in the song, many people wondered if it was actually about her.

However, in an interview , Ed explained, That’s the most special song on the record for me. My grandmother was very ill during the time I was making the record and passed away at the end of me making the record, so we wrote this song as a tribute to his grandmother. He says that he originally was unsure about whether to include Supermarket Flowers on the album, but at his grandmother’s funeral, his grandfather asked him if he would

INSTEAD

 

Do not think of what you do not have;
Instead, appreciate what you have and can still have.

Do not think of things lost;
Instead, value what you still have and may yet find.

Do not cry over spilled milk;
Instead, rejoice in what was left.

Do not think of what you are not;
Instead, be humble with what you are and can still become.

Do not think of what others say you are;
Instead, concern yourself with what you affirm to be.

Do not think of the hours and days past;
Instead, look eagerly to times that are yet to come.

Do not think of what you failed to do;
Instead, think of those that you were able to do and can still best do.

Do not think of mistakes committed;
Instead, count the things you did right.

Do not think much of the pain you have caused;
Instead, plan for ways to make amends.

Do not think of the sufferings you now bear;
Instead, look to the comfort when relief draws near.

Do not consume yourself with thoughts of what could have been;
Instead, marvel at what has become and will become.

Do not be anxious to attain greater happiness;
Instead, content yourself with the little things which bring you bliss.

Do not aspire to fill your cup at once;
Instead, have the patience to do it little by little.

And if by chance you fail, do not fret over the empty part on top;
Instead, celebrate the space filled up.

Do not condemn nature when it is at its worst;
Instead, think of the times when it was at its best.

Do not blame luck for things you miss;
Instead, learn from things in which you have been remiss.

Nor should you curse luck or others for life's misfortunes;
Instead, accept them as part of life.

I say then, Live fully, die a little,
Learn much but question less.

Have just enough but give much more,
Be contented each time to crave much less.

Doubt less and affirm a lot,
Understand more, and be understood less.

Worry a little but hope you must,
Accept all, resist the least.

For all things happen,
In due time they must.