Take time to enjoy the moments you have together because they are fleeting.
In fact, this moment is the only moment like this that you get.
Once it is gone, it is gone forever.
Be present and pay attention.
When you are together, be together.
All of the distractions can wait.
This moment is all that matters.
This moment is the only truth and the only priority.
Be here, now.
A person who pleases everyone has no real loyalty to anyone.
If you have values, principles, and priorities, you will be forced to stand up for them at some point in your life.
You will have to take sides.
You do not necessarily have to take sides against anyone or anything, but you will have to take sides for someone or some thing.
This means that some people are going to be disappointed.
They will be displeased with you and your decisions.
But you cannot be loyal to the people and principles that matter most while also making everyone around you happy.
You need to be able to live with your choices or you will live with regret.
Denying your values, principles, and priorities in order to please others is the path of regret.
Pleasing others is an impossible task anyway, especially if you have no values, principles, or priorities worth standing up for.
Kindness is free.
If someone takes advantage of you, your kindness is not to blame.
That is their choice and their action to live with.
And it is not your responsibility to avenge yourself.
Let kindness be your revenge.
Choosing to suffer in self pity, anger, and resentment because of someone else’s poor life choices will not improve your life or the people’s lives who need and appreciate your kindness.
Life is not always fair. People can be cruel and the world can be cold.
Be kind anyway.
Your joy and the joy you bring others will outlast whatever temporary suffering and hardship you experience.
Let kindness and joy be your legacy.
Recently, my daughter was having a day that was not going the way she expected.
She lost a library book, she forgot her school bag, the clothes she picked out did not match the weather, and life was simply not cooperating with her plans.
As we drove to school, she was obviously distraught and I asked her what was wrong. “This day is just not going how I planned, daddy.” she said.
This gave me pause because there will be many days in her life that will not go as she hopes or plans.
“If life always goes according to your plans,” I replied, “your life is going to be very boring, dear.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Think of the things that change your plans like gifts to make your life more interesting. Sometimes these surprises will be disappointing and painful, but sometimes they will be more rewarding and wonderful than anything you could have possibly planned for yourself. Embrace life’s surprises, dear. They are for you, not against you. When things do not go as you planned, smile and ask, ‘What is this experience here to teach me?’”
What kind of loser are you?
Everyone enjoys winning.
It feels good to win, especially at something you have worked hard for.
Losing, on the other hand, rarely feels that great.
But losing will teach you more about yourself than winning ever could.
When you lose, do you make excuses? Do you blame others? Do you tell yourself it does not matter? Do you tell yourself it matters more than it actually does? Do you get angry with the winner, with yourself, or with someone else?
Or do you reflect objectively on your preparation, your mistakes, your performance, and your opportunities for improvement, so that you can make the necessary adjustments to do better next time?
How you lose says way more about you than how you win.
What kind of loser are you?
Meditations on God 