Live a blessed life every day

Time is too precious to waste. Children grow up and leave the nest. Our grandparents and parents grow older and are gone. Did we make the moments count?

Time spent worrying about tomorrow or regretting yesterday drains our life of the “now.” The gift of life is squandered and wasted by dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. Life is now. Right now … this breathing, heart beating, priceless moment.

If you had only a few weeks or months to live, what changes would you make? Would each day of life become more precious? Would the sky be bluer? Would you suddenly become aware of little things that mean so much? Would you speak words of love and appreciation to others that has been left unsaid?

We do get caught up in the cares of this life, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).

Trials do come and patience runs thin, but let us not lose sight of the fact that the time to love is too short at best.

To postpone happiness when “this or that happens …” or “if only this would happen, then I would be happy…” is futile. If we are not happy now, how will we be happy then? Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may not be. Taking time to enjoy family and friends should be top priority in this journey of life.

I recently saw a lady walking down the street. She stopped and looked in a store window at some dancing shoes. Then she turned, smiled and “two-stepped” down the street. Well, why not? I liked the way she celebrated life. I think I’ll join her!

Children have a wonderful way of celebrating life. Watch them. They savor the moment and completely abandon themselves.

The brevity of life makes a rose more beautiful, a baby’s face sweeter, a sunrise brighter and a loved one dearer. Let us be grateful for today and live it to the fullest.

Let’s not squander a minute of life by being angry with anyone. Let’s not let this day fade away by feeling sorry for “myself.”

Be joyful and happy. Think about all the good things that have happened to you.

Don’t let anyone or anything spoil this day for “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

You can add to your happiness of the day by making someone else happy.

Forgive offenses. Do something for someone else. Let God bear your burdens.

Make things right before night. Be grateful for being alive. Realize where there is life, there is hope. Think positively. Pray without ceasing. Be a listener. Help and cheer up others. Be a good example. Look for good in everyone you meet. Know that God is always with you. Rejoice your way through life. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Tame the tongue. “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4). Kind words restore the soul.

Turn from evil. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit and let God’s love flow.

Without a struggle, there is no strength.

Without a battle, there is no victory.

Without repentance, there is no forgiveness.

Without a cross, there is no crown.

Without death, there is no resurrection.

Without Jesus, there is no salvation.

Without salvation, there is no heaven.

Without heaven, your life has been meaningless.

Begin to live today. Pack all the love and special moments into it that you can.

Today is the day to start a blessed life!