ABOUT THIS EPISODE
We always believe that we have time to do things. We focus too much on the future that we forget to enjoy the present.
In this episode, Aimee shares a personal experience with loss, grief, and the learnings she got from losing two people close to her heart. It is during the dark moments in our lives we realize that life shouldn't be taken for granted, and we need to make the most of it.
THE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF WORLD-CHANGING EVENTS
A few months ago, a friend of Aimee's passed away suddenly. This event threw her off, not even sure how, when, or what is happening. Then, another family member has passed around two and a half weeks ago.
These personal and out-of-the-body experiences have brought her to a point of reflection. It felt weird because as she was getting updates from a family member fighting for her life in the hospital, everybody else was going about their normal, daily routines.
With these situations, Aimee had a taste of reality that our lives can end instantly, and yet we still manage to take a lot of things for granted. She didn’t see these events coming, and her life has made a 180 degrees turn.
But the thing is, we humans don’t dwell on the idea of death so when it happens, we and our family members are taken aback. This devastating event can be disastrous to our families, but we need to start thinking about how to make the most of our lives and not take things for granted.
TAKING FOR GRANTED THAT THERE IS A NEXT TIME
During the eulogy for their beloved family member, Aimee’s sister mentioned a compelling statement, “We mistakenly thought we had all the time in the world. We took for granted that there would be a next time.”
Hearing this at a time when you just lost someone dear to you hits hard. We always think that we’ll always have time for the things that we’re putting off. You may know someone so dedicated to working and yet has no plans of enjoying the fruits of his labor until retirement.
Instead of looking for a job that satisfies our soul, we stick to one that’s just okay because we believe that we have time for that in the future. Our mindset is always at having time to do the things we want in the future and not at this moment, at the present.
As cliché as it may sound, we really don’t know what tomorrow will bring that’s why we need to enjoy our lives now. We’ll never know if we’re going to be as healthy as we are now than tomorrow.
Don’t wait until you're old and regretful to try new things, to take the vacation you’ve been wanting, or to live the kind of life you’ve always wanted to live.
TWEET
“We don't know what tomorrow will bring.” #chasingdreams
"If there's a trip you want to take, do it now when you can enjoy it." #chasingdreams
QUOTE
“We mistakenly thought we had all the time in the world. We took for granted that there would be a next time.”
“We think that there will be a time for the things that we're putting off.”
“I'm not saying it's easy, but I'm saying it's possible.”
AIMEE’S TIPS FOR DREAM CHASERS
With the sudden death of two loved ones, Aimee has had deep reflections that can help prepare for this distressing event. She gives a couple of tips to dream chasers.
The first one is having a will. This is one way of giving your family peace at the time of a sudden demise. Depending on the state you’re in, there will be different rules and regulations on how a will is constructed.
Also, find a lawyer that’s going to make the will legally binding and update it from time to time. You may meet different people or be under different circumstances and your will may need to be updated. This is a great recommendation, especially for people who have children since their last wishes have been defined.
By having your will ready, you’re preventing family members from the problem of going through a difficult process. Indeed, it makes life easier because everything is filled out, and they just have to carry out your wishes.
The second piece of advice of Aimee is to take some time to reflect on your life at the present moment. Ask yourself and be honest with your answers, “Am I where I want to be? Is this what I want to do?”
You need to be honest with how you feel about your life because as Aimee said, “This is your life. You are the one that has to close your eyes at night, wake up the next day and live it.”
Our families may be putting certain pressures on us unknowingly, but you’ve got to understand that at the end of the day, it’s your life, and you have the right to make decisions.
Start looking around and assess whether you are in a place that is serving you or your purpose. Aimee is not saying that immediately quit a job that’s not a fit for you, but eventually, you’ll have to start the process. Promise yourself that you will not be wasting more time doing things that you don’t like.
Never be afraid to make mistakes with the decisions you went with. You are bound to fall because life is like that. What’s important is that you pivot and move forward.
Lastly, you need to take care of mental health. We tune in to so much social media that we think that just because our lives are different, we’re a failure. This is not the case, whatever it is that you’re experiencing, keep in mind that it’s valid.
Should there come a time that you fail, and you’ll have to do something again, it’s okay. In moments that you may have failed, remember that you are not a failure. Life happens and this means it may be filled with challenges and misfortunes.
Just like what Aimee suggested, “when you fall, you get back up.” You need to think outside the box and realize that what we see in social media may not always be true.
Your number one priority in life should be YOU. You have to take care of yourself mentally and physically because if you don’t, you’ll never be able to help others.
Anxiety is real, and it will hit hard, so it’s best to be prepared mentally. If you feel that you’re not giving yourself enough time, take a break.
We may be busy with life, but this shouldn’t be the reason why we take for granted our time. See to it that you’re living life to the fullest and not having any regrets in the future.
TWEET
“Time is of the essence, don't put it off.” #chasingdreams
“Saying no is one of the most powerful things you can do.” #chasingdreams
“Life is not a formula. Life is sporadic, chaotic, and spontaneous.” #chasingdreams
You are empowered to make the choices you want to make. #chasingdreams
"Think outside the box." #chasingdreams
"At the moment that you feel that you had failed, you are not a failure." #chasingdreams
QUOTE
“The will is your way of showing your family that you want to give them peace at the time of a sudden demise.”
“As you're chasing your dreams, it's important that we also take care of ourselves and those around us.”
“Sometimes we make decisions because we think it's for the best of our families or what our cultures expect.”
“This is your life. You are the one that has to close your eyes at night, wake up the next day and live it.”
“Take the input and suggestions from others but at the end of the day, the buck stops with you, it's your decision.”
“At the end of the day, it's you who have to answer how you lived your life.”
“What makes you happy, do that.”
“Even what your parents say is not the only way.”
“If you do not take care of yourself mentally and physically, you cannot help others.”
OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE
- [00:27] The personal effects of world-changing events
- [04:03] Taking for granted there is a next time
- [06:40] The negative influence of society’s expectations
- [08:05] Aimee’s tips for Dream Chasers
- [08:25] The importance of having a will
- [12:55] Take some time to reflect on your life
- [17:03] Living life on your own terms
- [18:28] Don’t take for granted that there is a tomorrow
- [23:48] You are your own Number 1 priority
FAVORITE QUOTES
- “We mistakenly thought we had all the time in the world. We took for granted that there would be a next time.”
- “I'm not saying it's easy, but I'm saying it's possible.”
- “Life is precious, and we need to make the most of it.”
- “As you're chasing your dreams, it's important that we also take care of ourselves and those around us.”
- “Take the input and suggestions from others but at the end of the day, the buck stops with you, it's your decision.”
- “If you do not take care of yourself mentally and physically, you cannot help others.”
- “Don't chase money because if you chase money, you're not chasing your own happiness.”
- “The number one priority in life is YOU.”
TWEETS YOU CAN USE
- “We don't know what tomorrow will bring.” #chasingdreams
- “Time is of the essence, don't put it off.” #chasingdreams
- “Don't make choices in desperation.” #chasingdreams
- “Saying no is one of the most powerful things you can do.” #chasingdreams
- “Life is not a formula. Life is sporadic, chaotic, and spontaneous.” #chasingdreams
- You are empowered to make the choices you want to make. #chasingdreams
- “At the moment that you feel that you had failed, you are not a failure.” #chasingdreams
https://youtu.be/3caEwTRImfk
