Life Is Short - Eat More Ice Cream!

"You only live on this earth one time; don't be miserable doing it!" - Gene McGhee

This quote comes from my father who passed away at the age of 48. He had a great sense of humor and was full of energy. He loved his work, and chose to be happy. Some of the best advice I received as a young girl came from him. The lessons I learned have carried me through hard times.

I often hear people complain about their current situation as if there is nothing they can do to make things better. There is always room for improvement, and instead of complaining, why not decide today to do something about it:

• If you are having a hard time getting started in the mornings, it could be from a lack of sleep the night before. Choosing to go to bed earlier could be just what you need to feel refreshed and more energized the next day. This one simple step will give you a better outlook on life.

• What about your job? You may be doing an excellent job, but have no enthusiasm in your accomplishments. Sometimes a change will do you good. And other times, you may just need an attitude adjustment. Do you like what you are doing? Do you love direct deposit and benefits? Be grateful for the blessing of an enjoyable job and a steady paycheck.

• If you simply cannot enjoy your job, no matter what, then it may be time to make the necessary changes by looking for something different.

• Are you taking life so seriously that you've forgotten what it's like to laugh? Laughter is so good for the soul. Could it be time to cut down on the number of crime scene dramas you're watching? It may be affecting your mood more than you realize. Light hearted comedies just may lift your spirits, and give you a more positive approach to life.

Is your current life direction based on your expectations or someone else's?

In Steve Gilliland's Book, Enjoy the Ride, he writes:

"It's tragic to think that people will work all of their lives doing something they moderately enjoy for the sake of someone else's approval. Some people wake up every day with no desire to go to work and feel empty most days because they realize they never pursued their passion. They have a house, two cars, and all the world has to offer materially, yet miss the most important element of life- inner peace. In addition, they follow other people's expectations and mistake them for their own passion. They get married because they think it is the right thing to do. They have children after marriage, because they think it is the right thing to do. They miss their little league games to make ends meet, and rationalize it's the right thing to do. They drop them off at child care so they can make enough money to give them what they never had. When they finally give it to them, they realize why they never had it; their parents knew it wasn't what they needed. They replace a bedtime story with 30 more minutes on the computer. They replace breakfast with a Pop-Tart. They replace talking to their children with a chat room. When the next technological wave of inventions arrives, they buy all of them. They have no satisfaction until they have them, or so they think. They complain of debt and how tight money is, yet they own two cars and both of them are financed. They purchase new shoes, but never discard the old pair, and never wear them again. They skip breakfast, lunch, and eat fast food for dinner. Their lives are in the fast lane with no exit ramp in sight. They do it because everyone else does, and live beyond their means to support someone else's meaning."

Take some time today to reflect on your current situation. Instead of complaining, remember that you have a choice. I hope you choose to be happy, and strive to make the most of every opportunity. Why? Because:You only live on this earth one time; don't be miserable doing it!"

- Gene McGhee

Thought for the day - Climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, watch more sunsets, laugh more, and cry less. Life must be lived as we go along!

Have A Great Day!