Live, laugh, love...

Live, laugh, love!

You see that on bumper stickers, shirts, dishes and more.  But, how many of us are doing that in our day to day lives?

There is a new commercial for Chevy trucks that is great!  A man asked another where he lives.  The guy asks him how he makes a living and the owner of the Chevy truck has flashes, of fishing trips, hauling lumber, pulling a boat and more.  The theme or message is that he lives life, lives work, and works life and that there is no separation between the two.

For 25 years I have worked with young people (kids, and teens) in public education and private endeavors.  The one things that you see with them is that they know how to have fun!  If we were to live like that once we become adults life would be so much more rewarding!

I can say, from experience, that fear and stress can trap you and suck the joy right out of your life.  When I was in my twenties fear consumed me for a couple of years.  Then, a few years ago, work and some people associated with work sucked the joy out of my life.  Also, the migraines I suffered because of the stress and such made me and my family miserable!  I had to learn and remind myself that I can only make my self so safe.  The rest was up to God.  I had to let the joy-sucking work-pace go and changed jobs.

As we become adults and are slammed with more and more responsibilities, we forget to take time for fun.  Couples who fall in love no longer flirt with each other.  Employees and employers no longer take time to play.  Friends forget to get together just to visit, laugh, and share.  Life becomes a chore instead of something to cherish!

The movie, "Second Hand Lion"  or is it "Lions," is about a orphaned boy who has to live with two older uncles.  The overall message of the film is that living a full life is important.  The lion that arrives in a large wooden crate dies at some point while being out and about.  One of the uncles tells the boy that "…at least she died with her 'boots' on!"  In the end, the uncles do the same while attempting to fly a plane.  The boy is grown and instead of being sad at the tragedy, realizes that his uncles died living life to its fullest.

About 8 years ago, Joey, you know Joey, he's my precious gift from God (my husband) bought his first Harley.  He took me to dinner the first time I rode with him and I was scarred to death!  Seriously, I was crying my eyes out!  I prayed that God would take the fear away so Joey and I could enjoy the bike and have much fellowship and laughs on it.  Now, I LOVE TO RIDE!  I tell our girls that, should something happen to us while we are on the bike, that they should get some relief knowing that we were having fun! That, if we die on it, at least we would do it with our boots on.

I never thought I would be a biker chick and here I am.  It's like getting to dress up for Halloween all year long! WE were our leather chaps, do-rags, Harley shirts, and cowboy hats.  We have made some amazing friends and get together with them almost every week, with or without being on our bikes.  We watch college ball together almost every Saturday, share birthdays, and go on trips.  The fellowship is great and much laughter is shared.  We even help each other with home projects, and troubles in life.

A friend, who passed away from breast cancer (she and her husband biked with us) said that the original diagnosis helped her to"live like she was dying."  That is from a country song.  She was free from cancer for 7 or 8 years.  It came back and killed her, but she didn't want us to treat her any differently.  She never told us it was as bad as it was.  It would be a different world if we all had that attitude. Live as much and as often as you can.  Laugh often and deeply with good friends and family that you love!

Then, when you go… your light will be missed!

 Yes, life is a struggle and we all have things to overcome.  But, are you battling or losing?  Have you given up?  Are you living with your boots on?  I want to do that.  Live MORE.  Laugh MORE… and LOVE with everything I have!