Isn’t it interesting, from our earliest of memories we start in diapers and although we probably don’t want to think about it, some of us will end up in diapers. In the beginning we are taught to walk and talk, but in the end we loose our ability to walk and talk. Now stick with me here. I’ve heard it said before that it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how well you finish. And while I agree with that statement, I also want to challenge it a little bit here. What about the middle? What about the day-to-day, everyday, exactly where you are right now. Let’s face it people, we are definitely not at the beginning stages of our life and we are definitely not in the end. See, we are in the middle right now. And how we live our life in this middle affects everything. We can’t go back when our kids are all grown up and say I wish I had done more with you, I wish I had talked to you more. When we’ve been married for 40 + years we can’t go back and say I really wish I hadn’t nagged so much and tore my husband down. I wish I had relaxed and enjoyed him more. We can’t turn the clock and say If only I had followed that dream God put in my heart and not let the fear of failure get in the way. If only … if only …
You see, God’s been dealing with me on living my life with no regrets. I have a list. I know the things He has placed in my heart. They are much bigger than me. I will not give up. I will stay the coarse set before me. Will I miss the mark sometimes? Sure. Thank you Lord for Your grace! I get knocked down, but I get back up again. One of my favorite quotes is “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional” by Roger Crawford.
I always tell my kids never give up- never. And when my time is done here on this earth, I hope that I will have lived a truly authentic life, true to myself and true to those around me. I hope my kids can look at my life and see that I have truly lived this life that God has given me to the fullest. I think of all the people that inspire me. I think of the 91 year old triathlete, Mary Stroebe who is doing her 12th triathlon! I think of my bike friend who is 61 years old. His goal is to ride his bike at least 30 miles a day to stay active. He told me he is saddened by all the 60 somethings in the obituary. He has dreams to travel the world and ride his bike and go on a cruise and learn about foods and chocolates and wines. I look at these people and think, wow- if you can do it, why can’t I?! I want my kids to see my life and know that I lived in the moment and to the fullest. See, I can’t get yesterday back, so I better live my life today as though it were a gift, because it is. This was confirmed to me by Master Oogway in the blockbuster hit Kung Fu Panda when he said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” We are given no promises of tomorrow, so I better make my today count!
I just did my first triathlon last week. To some it may be small, but to me it was one of my many dreams. If you have something like that on your heart, DO IT. If you have let too many weeks and months get between you and a family member, you be the one to make the call. If there is someone in your life that has hurt you, let them go. Forgive. Let it go. Be free in Jesus name to live your life. If there’s a mission’s trip that has been burning inside of you, start making plans to go. What about that book you’ve always wanted to write? Just start it. You have to start somewhere. If you feel like God has called you to speak but are so afraid, look into those public speaking classes.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
The Bible says in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” To have goals in life for God, to have personal goals, to have dreams to believe in, to have a vision to serve God, to be determined to see it through.
*Whatever God has placed on your heart, write it out (No matter how long it takes to get there).
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)- Where there is no vision, the people perish
If this blog has done anything, I hope it has encouraged you to live a life of No Regrets! No regrets with yourself, with your family, with your friends.
I end with this song by 33Miles called One Life To love.
ONE LIFE TO LOVE
by 33 Miles
He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand
Until he started praying for a second chance
If he could only do it all again
And trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk
For all he missed
He tells his wife I wish that this moment in this room
Was not me dying but just spending a little time with you
CHORUS
You only get just one time around, you only get one shot at this
One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t wanna miss
One day when it’s all said and done I hope you see that it was enough
This one ride, one try, one life to love
She never thought she cared so much about those little hands
That held on tight the day she left till she was scared to death
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed, the end of the road
The sun has set on her big plans to feel young again
She picks up the phone, dials a number, hears that little voice
That’s haunted every single mile since she made that choice
You only get just one time around, you only get one shot at this
One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t wanna miss
One day when it’s all said and done I hope you see that it was enough
This one ride, one try, one life to love
“I don’t want to survive, I want to live! * WALL-E * 2008
(For their full interview about this song go to: http://www.ccmmagazine.com/just_for_you/story_behind_the_song/11581812/
-It’s really powerful.)
that was a really powerful and encouraging piece! i loved it!
Celeste!
You are all up in my heart doin’ jumping jacks!!! This is so my heart too! We gots to DO IT girl! We have to lasso those dreams one at a time with open hands giving God the glory. I am so inspired, impressed, in awe, and very proud of your accomplishment with the triathlon! This is so the beginning of dreams realized for you … I am so blessed to be at the sidelines watching your destiny unfold! Totally honored!
I got some dreams to get after! No regrets!
Great Love!,
~Ris
I love your writing and I see you live it out! I am so proud of the way you have really embraced life these last few years and I can see you living with “no regrets”. I got more out of this piece because I see your real life example.
So I have decided I am going to live with no regrets this year… I am going to win every one of my Fantasy Football Leagues and go “All In” when I’m playing poker. JK
Actually I am going to go “ALL IN” in my relationship with you and the kids, they are growing up fast and we have already started year 12! I’m also going to finish losing the weight and reach my goal.
I Love you and am proud of you,
Your Husband Jonathan
Your writing is a confirmation of a whisper fom Holy Spirit I heard yesterday in my quiet time……….Enjoy the moment! And that gives me a lot to think about. Seems I am always thinking about what I want or need to do next…right in the middle of what I should be enjoying…..pleasant or unpleasant. This moment will never present itself again!!!!!
Powerful! Thanks Celeste. I so want to run a marathon some day! Whoo -hoo. In addition, I have been trying to live life lately to the fullest and enjoying the in between moments. Thanks!
Awesome. Amazing. Awe-inspiring. Just like you. Thank you!
I love this. It is a great reminder to me to push past my fears and to just do it. Whatever “it” is. I never want to look back with regrets. I may fail sometimes butcat least I will have tried my best. Great blog. Love your passion for life!
I love that only another mother of young kids can find the value in a message in Kung Fu Panda–one of my favorite lines! You just go on with your bad self–and nice job on the triathlon–what an inspiration and way to show your kids to live for now! Love your heart~m
Celeste~ This was beautiful and the extra nudge I needed to push past some fears that have been hindering me and stifling what I know I have been called to…. Luvs
Jess
So well written Celeste. This is my goal in life…no regrets. Mistakes, you bet, but regrets…no thanks!
Just wanted to say a BIG thank you for all of your comments (thank you hunny too!) . I pray God will continue to help us all live a life of no regrets, pressing on for the things of Him! Be blessed! Celeste
Yes!!! A big, loud, come-into-agreement kind of YES. The Holy Spirit is showing me the same things.
On Sunday night, a 61 year old woman stood in front of the congregation and said that she was fulfilling a 50 year dream by going to Africa in September. I sat there in my seat rejoicing, because in October I’m fulfilling a 5 year dream by going to Africa. Neither of us are anything but ordinary women. But we serve an extraordinary God who plans out the BIG dreams He purposes in our hearts!! If only we would learn to go on adventures with Him, whether we see ourselves fit to or not. He can always get more out of us than we can get out of ourselves.
Blessings on you as you live life to the fullest!! Especially your big dreams.
I absolutely love your writings-you’re an inspiration to me.
There are too many who stop dreaming, who stop living for now and just live for what may come. It’s a hard place to be when your now isn’t all that you thought it would be. But your blog inspires to find the now and live it, regardless. No regrets is right. Especially no regrets about just not living at all.
Thank you for this inspiration. It encourages me to spend time with God asking if I’ve given up on dreams or if there’s more that’s just passing me by because I’m just not looking.
Congratulations on your first triathlon finish! I agree, life is an adventure worth living, even when it’s hard or often scary, get in the game!
I too am inspired by Mary. We lived next door to Mary for 8 years in Madison. She is such a character!!! Love it. I hope you’ll enourage friends & family to train for your next tri with you.
Sara
This was absolutely fantastic!
It really speaks to me where I am right now in life. I have been learning a lot about myself in this season and who I really am. It is exciting to think about a limitless God and all that He has in store for us if we will just say, “Yes, here I am!”
Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read this at the perfect time