There are all sorts of sayings and clichés about fighting through adversity, dealing with challenges, and the subsequent benefits that await once you come out the other side.
I know. I’ve used them. Mom used to say, “everything happens for a reason” and I would roll my eyes as kids tend to do when parents impart their particular brand of wisdom.
Depending on the situation, however, in the moment, it’s hard to find the reason. I mention this, not because there are difficulties, but to share a little message of optimism and hope as we move into spring…the season of new beginnings.
Recently, a close friend of mine passed away unexpectedly. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, “That’s optimism? Why are you bringing me down?”. I promise that’s not my intent so hang in there.
See, I was asked to give a eulogy, something I had never done, and the bizarre thing was that just a couple weeks prior, my friend was talking about how he believed there was a reason for everything. So, as I prepared my remarks, I looked for a reason for such an unfair loss.
What came to me was maybe less a reason and more a lesson on the significance of life; what we had and what remained rather than what was lost. It said to me that when grief is so deeply felt, it’s actually a testament to life and is the result of the profound impact one person can have however long or short the time may be.
In recognizing this and thinking about how one moves forward, I realized how important it is not waste the time we have together and never take for granted those we hold most dear.
“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.” However, you want to measure it, we can all be that one life that changes our world for the better.
