If You Knew They Would Die Tomorrow

There is no doubting that we all hold dear the ones we truly love. Our family members, our partners, our closest friends. But even though we honour those relationships and love each person for whichever reason, is it truly enough? Do we not take advantage of the closeness we have with these people, and do we not rely on that closeness to 'feed the relationship'. What I'm saying is, claiming that you are close to someone does not necessarily mean you are one hundred and ten percent into that relationship. Sure, you say you are close, but how close are you? Do you see them a few times a week, or maybe a few times a month? But you're still close, right? You phone your mother or father every so often to say "hello", which means you are tight, right?

Not necessarily.

Take a family member, possibly a sibling, who you love and cherish. You've got a busy week ahead and all they want to do is meet you for ten minutes of your time and sit down and enjoy a coffee. It seems to have been weeks since you saw them last and the more they ask you, the more agitated you become. It's simple really, just a coffee, but you keep putting it off and putting it off. But that's okay, because you're still close to your sibling so whether or not you meet them for coffee is no big deal.

We'll use this as an example of testing that closeness. What if you could see a day ahead? What if, by magic, you were able to see the exact events of the following day for yourself, and for every single person that you love. What if, in this instance, tomorrow - your sibling was to die, suddenly, tragically, and there was nothing you could do.

Would you postpone that meeting? Would you not make the time to see them? I'm sure you would do anything to spend that moment with them, because you knew that tomorrow was the last day of their life. You would arrange to see them, and when they'd arrive with a smile and begin to start chatting about their day, they wouldn't last five seconds because you would have your arms around them tight, telling them how much you love them. Sure they would be shocked, but they would be so happy with how much love you have shown them. And the conversation? It would be full of memories, positivity, laughter and joy - you wouldn't want to spend a moment talking about how bad your day was or how annoying things can be, because it would just waste what valuable time you have between you at this moment.

Let's say you did meet them without this magical change of seeing the day ahead - how would you approach this? Maybe not see them for another week, and when you do, quickly down your coffee, have a small chat about life (mainly complaining about how life is) and then have to leave quickly and run off to do whatever else you had to do that day. What if you forgot to tell them you loved them? What if you left, and they were hurt at how you seemed so disinterested in them telling you about their day. What if, you left, and the next day they died - suddenly, tragically, and there was nothing you could do.

Would you not be full of regret, alongside the feelings of loss, heartbreak and helplessness? Would you not cry, "I wish I told them I loved them! I just wish I held them close and let them know!". Would you not think of all the times you could have (and you could have) spent together, even if just for a moment. Would you not remember all the times you ignored their calls because you were busy, would you not remember the times you thought how special they were to you but didn't have the time to let them know?

Do not rush 'love', do not take it for granted. Do not assume that loving someone is enough, but become love to that person by being with them, talking to them, allowing them to know how important they are to you. It takes two seconds to answer a phone and five minutes of your day to chat, laugh, and let them know what they mean to you. The truth is, we cannot see ahead and we do not know what tomorrow brings, but that is the thing, tomorrow can bring your world up, or bring it crashing down. What you do between then and now is what is important, so let them know.

Sure, claiming that you love someone and knowing that they are important to you, is simply not enough. If you know how much they mean to you, and they're having a sad day and don't know, and the next day something happens - wouldn't you want to go back and tell them you love them? Of course you would. Which is why it's important to do it today... now. If you are angry with someone, don't let it get in the way of that love, let them know - it's better to live with peace than hatred, and no one wants to cry, "They're gone now and I told them I hated them!".

So, each day think happy things, live happily, and those that are close to you? Any time they talk to you or see you, talk about the better things in life, tell them how much you love and care for them, and let this be the closeness you have, not the fact that you are related/together/friends be the only reason you're close. Live that connection.

Remember... life is fragile, but love most certainly isn't.

Cherie

xxxx

Legally © Cherie Baker 2007 - 2008 All Rights Reserved

My View On Happiness

Would you like to hear my thoughts?

I am just sitting here in my flat, the faint sound of wind whispering through the window and the seconds ticking by on the clock, my cat Salem sprawled heavily across the carpet. I can smell the sweet aroma of freshly made coffee, feel the breeze tickling my cheeks and shoulders, brushing my silky hair along my back. The night is quiet, dark, mischievious, blanketing my home whilst the warm hues of gold lightens up my room where candles flicker restlessly. I am in thought mode - the mood which sparks within you ideas and hopes, dreams and notions that only emerge when you feel at peace with yourself, and with everything around you.
In this moment, I may talk aimlessly; no mission, no sense of direction, nor with a plausible ending. However; it's these times where the depth of my emotions kalaeidoscope into whatever they may be. So it's time to relax and listen, and to just feel me - wherever I may lead you.
My view on happiness?

You know, I want to be so happy. I adore the feeling that rushes through your heart as you accept its desire to take everything in full splendour, rather than with a pinch of salt. I can dream of everything right now, all I've ever had that lifted my spirits, and yearn for it's wonderful effects both spiritually and in every other way possible - just one more time. True happiness is a desire for completion, where your entire self is engulfed in what may be considered a drowning effect, of love, hope and all else that brings positivity and emotional perfection.
True happiness, in my thoughts, is not your material value which many put a "happy" seal on. Admittedly I have had such desires, to reach the utmost of perfection with money, possessions and then myself, which in turn would inevitably result in a masquerade of false confidence and a wall of nothingness and emptiness, leaving happiness to squander nomadically far far away, and fall sadly as does a freshly cut leaf.

We all want to be happy, which paradoxically is why there is so much sadness! And alas, a lot of unhappiness is the result of human competitiveness. A vast amount of effort is placed thoughtlessly on getting somewhere that's better, doing something that's better, and being someone that's better - and I don't mean better for ourselves, I mean, better than others. Don't you agree? Isn't there some truth in that we strive to surpass our friends, family and acquaintances? Even complete strangers! (Wow they did that? I can do that, but I can reach further...). I think we are all guilty of it at some time, of hoping to outdo another in order to feel some sense of security, or some sense of self-worth. Yet in reality, if we reach whatever we believe is better for ourselves and completes our own minds and hearts to the fullest extent, then we are extraordinary winners in our own right, and no first, second or third place exists.

I believe happiness should not be a place to work towards, but a pathway for life. If we are forever wishing to be happy, then the great things that surround us in their full beauty and awe may indeed remain unnoticed... forever (who would painfully allow themselves that?), even as wondrous and bright they may be - so we need to act instantly. So loosen up just a tiny bit, and welcome a life of happiness with open arms and an open heart, and it will reward you in the most positive of ways. Who wants to live a lifetime without a smile on their face?

So am I saying this as a person who never endures a sad moment? No, I have plenty of frowns and ups and downs. I may not be happy all the time - I am indeed not perfect (as no one is!), but I don't want to be sad, lonely or empty. I spent too long not being able to let go of things that really do not matter, of keeping hope of manifesting a life of material rewards and expelling a hatred for certain people, things and even myself. Today is always a brand new day, and always will be, in my views now. So even though at times life is a struggle and I uselessly label it saddening and spiteful sometimes - I always come out on top in the end, for I prefer a life of love, hope and that repetitive word, happiness.
Don't you love these moments? Where you can delve deeply into yourself without caution, judgement, or fear of loss. Where you are your own best friend, walking beside yourself on a dream to anywhere, filling yourself with hope. I love being alone at times, I am one who enjoys my own company where reflection, thought for purpose and self-discovery fall so gently into place, leaving me with an exhilirating feeling of whatever is, just is. It's where I can accept myself for who I am, whatever it is I have negatively or positively endured, and where the focus doesn't entitle the outside to exist.
Okay, so there are my thoughts on living happy.

I do have more, however I am exhausted! So take it in your stride, and remember that how you view yourself is what conditions the mind to be a certain way. We all have strong minds, and without sounding too much like a spiritual guru or a Dalai Llama obssessive, I believe we can be anything we want to be... I really do! Gosh, should I write a self-help book?

Maybe not yet, I'm still learning too much...

Cherrydreams xx

Legally © Cherie Baker 2007 - 2008 All Rights Reserved.