Tag Archives: life is short

Day 3429 – Marriage Tip – Constantly Think About The End – repost

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If I’ve learned anything by reviewing all of my blog posts, it’s that the ones where I am honest about something, and actually take the time to think through and write my post, that it is a much better post. There are many days it’s hard to write something, especially when most of our days look very much like the one before, that I just throw up something. But knowing that even my future self will be helped by what I take the time to write, encourages me to push forward, and take the extra minutes.

We have gone through a lot of losses the past few years. Every one is a reminder of the shortness of our lives, and the uncertainty of tomorrow. It seems that folks will go through something like a death or other loss, have a “sun breaking through the clouds clarity” moment, realizing we have to embrace every day, and never let moments pass. But after a few weeks or months, this thought is in the back of their minds.

One thing that Bret and I do nearly every day is look at the fact that we’re still alive as amazing, and the fact that either of us could go today is sobering. Most of our good mornings include, “I’m glad you’re alive today!” or “I’m glad you woke up today!” Most of our goodbyes are “It’s been real, I love ya.” or “I hope I get to see you again.” Instead of ignoring this fact of life, we acknowledge it every day. It helps us appreciate the moments we do have. It helps us move past a fight or disagreement quickly. It helps us to let things go.

I have no idea how long I’ll get to spend with Bret. I don’t know my last day or his. But every day of our 3,064 married days and 3,940 known days, is filled with the awe and wonder that we got another day.

….and a little eye rolling from both of us….

originally posted 11/30/17

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Day 3352 – What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?- A Book That Reminds You To Dream Big – Read A New Book Month Day 14

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What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?: Moving, Unexpected, and Inspiring Answers to Life’s Most Important Question* by The Buried Life was another one of those random finds at the library. It was indeed a moving and inspiring book. The story of the guys who started The Buried Life have a really, really cool story.

This was a quick read but it had a big impact on me. I started my own “Before I Die” list and I have to say, I’ve got some pretty big things on there. Reading the book, which is a compilation of what others have said they want to do before they die, caused me to dream bigger than I ever have…and I dream pretty big.

Some things on my list aren’t surprising – run a marathon, surf, visit all 50 states with Bret.

But some were HUGE – start a non-profit, give away a million dollars, walk on the moon. But here’s the thing, why NOT dream big?

There was a great quote in the book:
“Never tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” – Anonymous

If you’re looking to increase your dreams, this is the book for you.

As a reminder, the links to the book on Amazon are affiliate links. As a reminder, an affiliate link is one that if you click and purchase the book (or something else) I’ll receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. I ruthlessly only share products, services, books, etc, that I have personally used and only recommend what I think is useful and valuable. I’ve marked all affiliate links in this post with this little guy –> *

*

What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?: Moving, Unexpected, and Inspiring Answers to Life’s Most Important Question*

Check out all of my 2018 Read A New Book Month recommendations.

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
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Day 3336 – Reflecting On Our Near Death Experience Nine Years Ago

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I’ve shared my full story of our near-death experience before, so if you haven’t read it, check it out here. But today I wanted to talk about the lessons I learned through it, since it, and how it still impacts my life.

For the last 20 years of my life, I have been met with much young death. The ages ranged from about 18-30ish. I’ve attended a lot of funerals. The shortness of life has been within my radar for my entire adult life. Dating Bret also kept it in my view. Honestly, I don’t know if I could have handled having this person I loved deployed to a literal war zone without these experiences.

So reflecting on how close we both came to death that day on the river, I think these things.

– I am never ever ever ever promised tomorrow or even the next second, so I better enjoy the time I have.

– The little things that bother me and stress me out on a day to day basis are so small compared to the scope of my life.

– I let go of the things I need to let go of and hold onto the things I need to hold on to.

– I am much more honest about the things I need and the things I don’t need.

– If I want to wear a Batman shirt with a cape, I do it.

– Even if I’ve made countless mistakes, I can make a difference by sharing those mistakes.

– I live without regrets. While in a lot of ways, I could point to a number of things in my life that I regret. I could say, wow, this situation is NOT what I wanted to happen, I would change THAT for sure. But I’ve learned that everything that has happened in my life has brought me to the person that I am today. And honestly, I really like that person, and I also can’t wait to see who that person is down the road….however many miles I have left on it.

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
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Day 3331 – How Marriage Is Like Totality During An Eclipse – repost

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I had a last minute change of plans today, so I’m sitting in my mechanic’s waiting room getting this posted. Don’t worry, it’s just an oil change. Ah, how nice it is to have a car that just needs routine maintenance. Not going to lie though, I happened to look up while getting ready to come into the shop and noticed my very clean interior ceiling…no soda stains. I had a can of soda explode on a hot day that stained my last car’s ceiling. Got a little misty thinking about how much I loved that car.

But without further ado, here is how marriage is like totality during an eclipse.

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originally posted 8/24/17
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I’m realizing how big of an impact experiencing a total eclipse has had on me as the days go by and the experience marinates. I’ve watched videos and looked at others’ pictures. And it all takes me back to that moment it started. That moment is truly amazing. Laughing, crying, experiencing awe. Is it 2024 yet? Seriously.

One thing that Bret and I have been very aware of our whole marriage and relationship is the shortness of life. With him serving in the Marines and my personal losses of friends at young ages, the shortness and unknown of how long we have on earth has been impressed on our cores. Since he’s been working in real estate investing, he’s talked to a lot of people in many different situations. Some of those situations are losing a spouse, or caring for a spouse, or any number of losses. Yesterday, Bret gave me a hug and just said how much he loved me and how grateful he was for me. That he wanted to take the opportunity when he could. I said, semi-jokingly, I’m enjoying our time in totality. But as I’ve been thinking about it, it’s a perfect picture of the full life of a marriage. There is so much build up to the marriage. So much excitement preparing for the start. Then when the marriage starts, and totality begins, it is amazing. You want to laugh, you want to cry, you want to grab the person next to you and say, “can you believe this??” Then, so very soon after, so very brief, it is over. You are changed. Your life will never be the same because of the experience. I don’t know of the end of totality of marriage yet. I can try to imagine what my life might be like without Bret, but I don’t want to spend my time during totality worrying what I will do after. But I will live in the shadow of the moon and just experience the time that I have. I will laugh, I will cry, I will grab everyone I can and share how amazing marriage can be. I will appreciate every second, because there are so few of them left.

How are you enjoying your totality?

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 3064 – Marriage Tip – Constantly Think About The End

Posted on by
Reply

If I’ve learned anything by reviewing all of my blog posts, it’s that the ones where I am honest about something, and actually take the time to think through and write my post, that it is a much better post. There are many days it’s hard to write something, especially when most of our days look very much like the one before, that I just throw up something. But knowing that even my future self will be helped by what I take the time to write, encourages me to push forward, and take the extra minutes.

We have gone through a lot of losses the past few years. Every one is a reminder of the shortness of our lives, and the uncertainty of tomorrow. It seems that folks will go through something like a death or other loss, have a “sun breaking through the clouds clarity” moment, realizing we have to embrace every day, and never let moments pass. But after a few weeks or months, this thought is in the back of their minds.

One thing that Bret and I do nearly every day is look at the fact that we’re still alive as amazing, and the fact that either of us could go today is sobering. Most of our good mornings include, “I’m glad you’re alive today!” or “I’m glad you woke up today!” Most of our goodbyes are “It’s been real, I love ya.” or “I hope I get to see you again.” Instead of ignoring this fact of life, we acknowledge it every day. It helps us appreciate the moments we do have. It helps us move past a fight or disagreement quickly. It helps us to let things go.

I have no idea how long I’ll get to spend with Bret. I don’t know my last day or his. But every day of our 3,064 married days and 3,940 known days, is filled with the awe and wonder that we got another day.

….and a little eye rolling from both of us….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel