We hear the term “life is short” but sometimes that does not hit home until we have some sort of tragedy occur in our lives that oftentimes will take the life of a loved one, friend or relative. These past few days have opened my eyes to what it really means to live and I want to share it with you.

This past Saturday night, I went to bed with such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I magnified all that I did have in my life instead of what I did not and for the first time I felt rich. I was filled with thanksgiving as I meditated on the blessings of my life. My life has not been an easy journey but it is one that I am proud to say that is mine and I am grateful. The next day, I was bombarded with the news that a family friend lost her battle to cancer and unfortunately passed away. My heart sank…

After receiving the news and sharing the news with the rest of my family, I went for a much needed walk. Oddly, the sun never shined brighter on my face and I felt an indescribable connection to life.  My emotions were mixed – sad, angry, joyful and hopeful. All I kept thinking was how we can major in the minor things in life only to have this valuable thing called “life” taken away sooner than we think. All the hours of worrying, being angry, being unforgiving, being resentful, being fearful are actually a HUGE waste of our time. Time is one thing that we all have but also one thing that we can never get back once it’s gone.

We all think that we have more time. Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that, how do you really know that you have more time? So this is what I am getting at here – take advantage of every day that you have. If there is someone that you need to forgive, then do it. If there is a goal or dream that you want to achieve then do it. If there is someone that you need to ask forgiveness of, then do so. If there is a truth that you need to speak, then honor your truth. If there is a place that you want to visit, then put the vacation on your calendar and go.

You can sit around and get upset about what you do not have or you can tap into your riches and praise God for what you do have. If you cannot find one thing, be thankful that you are alive and you can tell your loved ones “I love you,” because there is someone who wasn’t able to do it today or there is someone who wished that they could hear their loved one say it to them one last time.

Life can be flipped upside down in an instant and in those moments we have to learn to surrender to that process. As for me, I am learning to accept the transitions in life. I am learning that me becoming a woman who is “rich” has nothing to do with my possessions and I am living each day to the best of my ability. To live is to love, to live is to forgive, to live is to be thankful for each blessing and lesson learned, to live is to learn from our mistakes, to live is to be courageous, to live is be intentional, to live is honor our purpose.

I don’t know how much longer I have left, but I am committed to staying focused on what I have been called to do and embracing the journey and all the people I build relationships with along the way. I hope that I can inspire you to do the same.

Live. Forgive. Love.

Maria I. Melendez

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
@EmbraceHerLegacy

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