A few days ago I found out that my aunt had died. This was my mother’s sister. I was not close to her and I had only seen her about three times in the last 15 years. But I was still shocked to hear that she had passed. First I felt shocked. This is crazy. First my mom and now my aunt is, what I thought. Then I felt scared. I thought, oh my God, everyone is dying! Lastly I felt a sense of urgency. Damn, life is too short! I guess you just have to do whatever it is that you want to do while you can. The sense of urgency has remained and I am still thinking about doing the things I want to do. I am also thinking that I need to start taking some risks. Not living recklessly but taking risks to chase joy.
Not to be morbid, I know yall don’t come here for that, but the fact that every day is a blessing and that tomorrow isn’t promised is real. Unlike with my mom, my aunt was not sick and the fact that she is no longer with us is shocking. So with each new day that is a blessing am I doing everything that I want to do with it? Or, am I playing it safe, doing what is expected and what I am “supposed to do”???
More often than not I have played it safe. That has worked out for me in a lot of ways. I have a very stable life and that is a good thing. I don’t take it for granted. I know where my next paycheck is coming from. I know where I will be laying my head each night. I basically know how 90% of my days are going to go. It is safe. However it is also kind of boring and there are certain areas of life where I am either not fulfilled or not as fulfilled as I’d like to be.
Me with my extended family, including my aunt that recently passed away, at my mom’s memorial lunch.
So this sudden passing of my aunt is serving as a wake-up call to me in a two ways. One way is that I need to continue to try and be healthier (sounds like she had a heart attack). But the biggest way is that I am challenging myself to start taking on more risks. Specifically in the areas of my love life and in my careers (both blogging and the day job). My goal will be to take a risk at least once a month. Nothing crazy or dangerous, but something that pushes me out of my comfort zone, something that aligns with living the kind of life I really want to live, and something that causes my naturally risk avoiding inner voice to fall speechless. It’s time I start taking risks to chase joy.
Are you a risk taker or a risk avoider? Are you playing it too safe like your’s truly? Are you taking risks to chase joy?
Death, especially one that is sudden, seems to make us take a look at our mortality and choices in life.
I’m sorry about your mom and then your aunt. You’re right though, life isn’t promised. Best to live it while we’ve got it.
You never know what your life will bring you. The fact that you wrote this post following the passing of your aunt is a beautiful tribute to life. My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. You are so right that life is so much of what you make it and that you should be chasing your joy while you are here.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I’ve had a few friends pass away in the last 2 weeks and it’s made me realize how short life is and how I need to be more intentional! Time to start taking more risks!
I love this post. You HAVE to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone if you really want to embrace life.
I like to say sorry for your loss. Just keep taking a risk, one at a time.
I suggest you go on with what you’re intending to do. I have a similar perspective as well and it’s not like I’m trying to kill myself. There’s a mature, definite YOLO way in my opinion.
I’m in the process of learning mistakes. so sorry for the loss
As with everything in life, I try to balance my risk taking. Sometimes you have to take the plunge in order to move forward or achieve a goal, and other times it may just not be worth it.
I usually play it safe. But this is a good reminder that we need to take risks!
This is some mind-opening advice here.
I plan on sharing this with my husband, as he tends to play it too safe at times.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Aunt. Life is to short to not live each day to the fullest.
Sorry for your loss. I take risks sometimes. I’m not one to jump out of a plane or anything….but I will take risks that make me happy
I agree on taking risks. Sometimes it can be so so scary, but extremely worth it in the end. I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m still learning how to take risks. It’s so important yet so difficult for me.
I have started to take more risks, especially as a means to get over my anxiety that starts to come back every so often!
I tend to avoid risks, but sometimes I can take a risk – just not a regular behavior 😉
Condolences on the loss of your aunt! I do try to take risks to find a little happiness. A lot of my dad’s side never lived into their 50’s, so I try to find new adventures in each day to live a fulfilling and joyful life.
How blessed you are to have such a wonderful family.
I’m sorry to hear about your aunt. Keep smiling.