When did you start living?
Do you remember the day you began living?
Instantly, you may recall stories about the day you were born or the day you went on a thrilling adventure like skydiving and lived to tell the tale. Or better yet, the day you won the Nobel Peace Prize. 😉 Notably, such moments represent feats. But do they symbolize living?
A choice we must make.
I started living when I realized it was a choice each of us must make – for ourselves. I made the choice when I was sick of living like I was dead. But it wasn’t instant! Living with a chronic health condition, I initially thought the worst! Fortunately, in the depths of despair, something called hope came to me, and I realized that breathing is a state, and existing is the modern norm, but living is a choice.
In response, I ditched my perfectionist tendencies and embraced curiosity: I decided to learn and share – to write a book, even if no one cared. To publish blogs, even if only my future daughter reads them. To dance as if everyone who ever lived and will ever live were watching. And to live authentically, at the risk of being misunderstood. Realizing my life is not an accident, I thought, by golly, I’ll give life a twirl and sing like Dolly in her coat of many colors. It all begs a question!
What stops us from living?
Could it be that we defer to merely existing because we do not believe we deserve to be here? Or are we afraid that what we desire might never reach us?
At some point, we all feel this way. And while it may allow us to exist, it stops us from living.
Therefore, we must remember that living is not defined by the accumulation of accomplishments and a roll of acknowledgments. Living is fueled by love, not by falling in love but by growing in the capacity to love. – The capacity that enables us to give boundlessly and to dare to hope, even if our teeth chatter, palms sweat, and hearts race.
Once I realized this, my internal compass was fine-tuned!
The day I began living.
I began to live when I chose to trust that there was more in me and for me than I could see. Only then did I commit to love without hesitation. Though gripped by fear, I became fearless.
For me, it all began with the realization that life is a gift, but living is a choice I must make for myself.
Friend, when did you start living – not breathing or existing? – Truly living!
For you and to you,
Aké
P.S. My accompaniment for this piece is a country song that reminds me of why I love country music: Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw. It is all heart!
Image credit: Pexels | Engin Akyurt
