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Enjoy Life While You Still Can!
THE IMPETUS FOR THIS ARTICLE
I was reading comments on one of my articles yesterday, and came across a striking comment from my friend Leslie. In it she said:
“the thing about you, Bill is that you're not afraid to live - and you're not afraid to die! You have a freedom borne of experience...trial...tribulation...and from overcoming almost impossible odds!
You're like a kid in a candy shop - getting a second chance!
Most will never know your appreciation until it is too late!
I share in your joy de vive, Bill - and wish you many years to explore, discover and delight.”
For the record, it is comments like that one that explain why I write. Leslie has followed me for quite some time, and during that time she has come to realize what makes me tick. Isn’t that remarkable? She and I have never met, and yet because of our online friendship, she has managed to see quite clearly one of my main motivations in life….namely, that we only get one shot at this thing called life, and we really shouldn’t be wasting a minute of it.
LET ME EXPLAIN WHERE I’M COMING FROM
I should be dead. That is not hyperbole to get your attention; no, it is the plain and simple truth. I did everything in my power to drink myself to death, and almost succeeded six years ago.
From that experience came reflections, and over time I came upon a truth that was so powerful that I feel compelled to, not speak it, but live it. The truth is…..that life is wonderful! As Leslie explained, I feel like a kid in a candy shop, because I’m getting a second chance to get this thing called life right! How cool is that?
That day back in November of 2006 was a revelation to me, and I feel compelled to share it. I didn’t quit drinking back then because I was afraid to die. There was no fear of death at that time. I didn’t quit because I was afraid I would lose everything; I had been there, done that, before, and that didn’t concern me. I didn’t quit because of other people in my life, because sobriety based on the judgment of other people is doomed.
No, I quit drinking because I wanted to LIVE! I wanted one last opportunity to experience all that life has to offer, and I have been doing exactly that for the last six years. Livin’ large and lovin’ life in Olympia, Washington.
I come from a place that few can understand. When you are absolutely certain that you are going to die, and then you survive, there is a psychic shift in every molecule of your being. Suddenly, all that daily crap that seemed so important, is not important at all. Suddenly, the things you once worried about, don’t seem terribly scary at all. There is a focus that happens, and that focus is aimed directly at the things in life that should be priorities, things like friends, family, and love for other people.
Today I can see clearly, and from my box seat life is wonderful!
Sing Along With My Buddy
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
You see, the b.s. has been stripped away, and now I can concentrate on my priorities, and make damn sure that my remaining years are years of love and happiness. My heart is open to love and my mind is open to new ideas.
I can sit for hours and watch a hawk soar overhead, or marvel at a spider as it builds its web. I can watch children playing in the park and laugh with them, because I remember the pure joy of that experience from long ago.
I can listen to the leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and I can hear the haunting melodies of Mozart and the frenetic pounding of rock n roll.
I can feel Bev’s touch….no…I can feel her love, as though it were a physical force, and I am overcome at times by the unselfish present she gives me each day.
There are no words to describe how grateful I am for this second chance and Leslie was correct, that few will know that type of appreciation until it is too late to do anything about it.
And that saddens me!
Number One Priority In Life
- Love: The Word, The Meaning
Love is more than just a word; love is...the single most important thing in life.
TOPSY TURVY
You see, I think most people have life upside down. They are so busy going about the business of living that they forget to enjoy the life they have been given. They are so busy providing for their loved ones that they have no time to spend with their loved ones. They are so busy accumulating that they fail to recognize that they are already rich.
I have witnessed, in my lifetime, a complete shift in the way people approach life. I’m not wise enough to know the reasons for it, but I know it is true. I want to grab people and shake some sense into them.
Stop right now and tell me what is more important than love. I’ll wait….well? well? Anyone? No, there are no answers, because nothing is more important than love. So if that is true, and it is, then why don’t people spend more time loving? Why don’t they spend more time with their loved ones? Too busy? Too many obligations?
We are all guilty of it! Last week Bev asked me if I wanted to go for a walk, and I said not today, I’ve got too much writing to do! HELLO, BILL, ARE YOU LISTENING???? How is my writing more important than the love of my life? It took me about a half hour to come to my senses, stop writing, and go for that walk with Bev. I swear, there are times I want to hit myself upside the head and knock some sense into me. And we are all guilty of it!
IT IS TIME FOR A PRIORITIES LIST
I understand; I truly do! I played the game for a number of years, working fourteen hour days, coming home bone-tired, no time or energy for anything, or anyone. It was an endless cycle of work, eat, and sleep, and looking back on it now I realize the insanity of it all. Back then, you could not have convinced me that there was any other way. I mean, the bills had to be paid, right? There were things our family needed, and they weren’t free, right? I needed to work more hours to catch up, and maybe get ahead, and that just takes so much time….there was no time to enjoy the people I was trying to provide for, and therein lies the insanity.
I was at a restaurant a few months ago, and while Bev and I were eating I was watching a family eating a couple tables over from us. The man and wife never talked to each other, and quite frankly they looked bored to tears. The children would say a few words every once in awhile, and the parents would nod at the kids, but that was the extent of the interaction. I found that incredibly sad! Where was the joy? I can tell you this for a fact: when Bev and I are together in public there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Bev and I are in love. We hold hands, we laugh, we giggle, we look into each other’s eyes, and we act like little kids. Why? Simply because we love being in love, and we work at keeping that love vibrant and exciting. Bev is my best friend, and I am hers, and we act like it!
Time is running out! What or who are your priorities? Figure that out and then start making them your focus on life and then….START ENJOYING LIFE!
My ebook on this subject
- Lifestyle Choices: William D. Holland: Amazon.com: Kindle Store
Lifestyle Choices: William D. Holland: Amazon.com: Kindle Store
YES, TIME IS RUNNING OUT
I can’t be much clearer than that! I have seen sudden death. I have had a loved one snatched away from me quickly; here one moment, gone the next, and I can tell you that you are left with the inevitable feelings of guilt. Why didn’t I spend more time with them? Why didn’t I tell them more often that I loved them? Why didn’t I focus more on them and less on my favorite television show or sporting event?
I have sat with the dying. I have listened to them say why didn’t I do this, and why didn’t I take the time to do that, and how could I have wasted so much time on things that are unimportant, and it is sad and it is sobering. I promise you, when my time has come, I won’t be laying in bed feeling the weight of what if’s.
My time to live is now! My time to love is now! My time to ride life for all it is worth is now! I was given a second chance, and daddy didn’t raise no fool!
My wish for all of you is that you reach a point where you are not afraid to live, not afraid to die, and that you finally come to appreciate life as much as I do. May the wind always be at your back, and may the road rise up to meet you on your travels from this day forward.
2012 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
Comments
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Love you too, Sha! Time is running out my friend, and we don't get any do-overs! Make the most of it; leave it all out on the field. I am wanting for nothing, I love my life, and I'm so damn happy I want everyone else to experience it as well.
Thank you for a great comment. Sending hubs your way.
bill
What an amazing hub, Bill. You have a knack of hitting us upside the head when we need it most. It's funny, I've been singing along to 'I Can See Clearly Now' for years. It wasn't until you brought it into this hub that I really paid attention to the message. Perfect choice for this hub and all who read it.
Regarding your comment about the family in the restaurant, I just love, love love when I see older people (and they get older as I get older!) showing visible signs of their love. When I was at the polls today, an elderly couple, in their 70's I'd guess, came out of the building and immediately sought each others hands. They strolled to their car hand in hand the whole way.
Who was it that said, "live each day as if it were your last"?
Great hub, my friend.
Love Ya Lots,
Sha
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Graham, my sitting and waiting days are gone. It's all action from now on until they put dirt over me. :) Thank you Sir!
bill
Hi Bill. Yet another positive lesson in life. You are so right, life passes us by whilst we sit and think about what to do next.
Graham.
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Dr. Poeta, we have all been through trials and tribulations, and we all have a story in us. Thank you so much, and may all of your days be rich!
What an amazing piece Bill. I've been through somewhat a similar stage in my own life too, albiet not as extreme as what you have described, but I feel as if I can relate to what you've been through.
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Tara, I am always happy to see you pop up, and I must say you are sounding very positive and promising. I will keep on being me and I would ask that you keep on being who you really are. :) Thank you!
Bill, you are soooo lovely! You are right of course. We need to enjoy each moment we have. I've certainly wasted enough time so far. I aim to not waste another drop of a healthy life. Promise me that you'll keep on being you. Tara.
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Rhonda, what you see is what you get, and I love my life and have no desire to return to the old days. Thank you for your kindness and have a wonderful Friday!
Well Bill, you should be satisfied! Very few men act like you do, know what you do, and express as freely as you do. And I can tell, it truly is who are you. : )
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Rhonda, I like your way of classifying people, and I have to agree. Some people just don't get it, and I will forever be mystified by their attitudes. All I know is that I am one of the lucky ones; I finally figured it out while I was still young enough to enjoy the benefits. :)
Thank you for your kindness; if I am half the man you paint me to be then I am pretty satisfied. :)
Beautiful hub Bill. Your words match your actions and that is one of the many reasons I admire you so much. I am very glad you survived. You have touched many people since those dark days. Often change only happens when someone hits bottom. Your change is especially profound, wonderfully profound. I so agree that love is the most important thing in the world, but few people appreciate love and the love of their life the way you do. I wish you and Bev a very long and loving journey together. Some people divide people into the haves and the havenots. I divide people into those that get it and those that don't. You, my friend, totally get it. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
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Armchair, thank you very much! I hope I reach a few people with this message because I think it's an important one.
This is really powerful stuff. Seriously. I think you have a gift and you should continue to share. Maybe people will start to understand what IS important.
Thanks...this made my day.
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Jamie my friend, thank you for the visit and the very kind words. I have been sober six years on November 16th, and you are right, I can't imagine ever going back to the darkness.
As for Bev, I thank God every day for her! Thank you!
Thank you for another uplifting hub... it's like they say, when you have been the lowest of low, there is nowhere but up to go. Bill, I'm sure you have mentioned it in prior hubs but how long have you been sober now? I bet you could not imagine going back to that place... How lucky you and Bev are to have found each other. It *seems* like it's getting more and more rare to see long term relationships survive. I believe you and Bev have what it takes- a genuine interest in keeping the love alive. What a blessing :)
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Mr. Archer, one day you and I are going to have to meet and enjoy each others' company in person. I just love this comment, and I thank you for it. You are speaking for a great many people here my friend. I think it is pretty normal for couples who have kids; it's hard to re-connect with the marriage and keep the marriage healthy, but it is oh so important. You two have paid your dues; you will always love your kids but now it's time for you two. I wish you happiness as you start the new journey, and I thank you for a wonderful reminder for all of us.
bill
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Donna, what a wonderful comment, and I am so happy that you are feeling better. I know for a fact, for me, it took almost dying for me to see the wisdom in slowing down and enjoying life. Today I want to live....today I love living....and I am so happy that you have found that too. Stay healthy and happy my friend, and thank you!
Bill,
Thank you for giving a voice to what we all know, but sometimes need a reminder. Just after Thanksgiving last year and again this past May, I found myself in the ICU for several days--both times close to death. I suffered from complications of diabetes, brought on by too much stress. Over the last several months I have found myself taking it easier than I have in years, and reconnecting to the people, places, and activities that are most important to me. I've enjoyed many special moments with old friends that I may never have had otherwise. I'm healthier and stronger than I've been in a long time, and I keep looking back wondering how on earth I let so much time pass me by.
Thank you for inspiring all of us to appreciate each and every breath.
-Donna
Dadgum it, Bill!!!! Every time I think you have written the perfect hub, you do it again. And again. And again. But I think you might have a hard time topping this one. You truly are wise beyond your years, my friend. I write this as "Vincent" plays on my computer, in the midst of my 11 hour day at work, missing my family. My better half and I recently came to an understanding, if not an argreement. We MUST do more together, as often as possible. Our children are 20, 19, 17, 15, and 8 years old. All but the youngest are fairly self sufficient, but still drag at us and pull us away from things we want to do. She and I are striving to separate family from our oneness, and while it is a struggle, we are moving in that direction. She is a wonderful Mother, and as with most Mothers, children come first. For 20 years, they have come first, and now we struggle, and feel guilty, when we desire something for ourselves. A walk, a stroll with our dogs, a short driving trip around the area to view the Fall foliage, a stop at a local market to sample beef jerky, cheese, and pickles are things that we do for ourselves. The first and second weekends in November we are showing our Lab Duckie. Whether we win or not matters not; but the time spent together doing something uniquely us is the key. You are so very right Bill. People, enjoy Life. If you are not doing this, you are not validating the hard work you do in order to enjoy Life. You owe to yourself and your family.
Now I must dry my eyes and go back to work!
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Miss1, you are so very right! The gifts of life are all around us; all we have to do is recognize them and be grateful. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story about the young mother, and thank you for visiting.
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Beckie, that was a beautiful gift you just gave me. Thank you sincerely! As I look out my window, I can see the rainbows, even though there are those who cannot see them, and that of course saddens me.....and so I write, and write some more, and if I touch one person on a deep level of understanding, then my job as a writer has been completed and I am fulfilled. You have given me a smile this morning and I thank you!
peace and happiness to you, today and all days,
billy
I was thinking the other day about a story about a young mother who found out she had breast cancer just after giving birth to a baby girl. She was utterly devastated that she may never see her little one grow up. After 8 months she was givern the all clear! You could only imagine what this would be like but I feel lucky to just to be healthy and have my life which I hope to be a long happy one:) thankyou for sharing this hub. Billy. Voted Up!!! If we focus on what's really important our lives would certainly benefit.
Billy - My over-the-rainbow friend. It is articles such as this one that continue to place you as an inspiration for me. I can not thank you enough for providing me an avenue where I am reminded of those points of life that are truly worth waking up for in the morning. The joy I get when I watch my dog running carefree through the fields, my nephews who have grown into such fine adults but still display a part of their youth when ours is the first place they visit to show off their zombie/tuxedo costumes for the big social event. Getting a call from a doctor and followed by the call that says "all is well." As you have said, to sit with a dying loved one is to truly be given the most important lesson in life. I was fortune to sit with two people who lived their lives honestly and fully. It was a miracle of God to witness my Dad as well as my 101 years young Irish Nana as they made that spiritual journey. It was a blessing as many do not experience this.
I am always left with a new found sense of insight after reading one of these self-reflective hubs you produce. I can only say "thank you." When I experience mental and physical peace and harmony, so do those around me.
Blessings and rainbows to you and Bev. xo
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Mary, that's my credo right there.....love one another and don't be afraid to show it! Great comment my friend; I"ll see if I can't write another inspirational hub soon. Thank you Mary!
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Winsome, what a great song....maybe I am a dreamer, but I'm convinced life is to be enjoyed and loved. :) Thank you for the great musical reminder.
It is always good to read one of your 'inspirational' hubs because they are full of inspiration....we all need to keep our hearts open, to those we love and to the present, this is the day we are living and the people we love are here with us now, they may not be tomorrow! You are so right that so many people live life upside down, hopefully this will help them right it! LOVE one another and don't be afraid to show it!
Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting!!
"Imagine all the people living for today...you hoo oo oo you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live...." Thanks for your zest for life and family and values that Lennon could not get. I'm right there with you buddy. =: )
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Thank you Leslie! I'll go into battle with you any day of the week. :)
Well, Bill, it seems this past week at least - that you, myself - and Mike - have been the 'Living-Life-Well Three Musketeers'...lol..
And thank YOU, Bill - you're a good ally to have..
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Leslie, a simple thank you does not seem enough, but that's all I have. I admire your determination to write in your style and not give in to the powers here on HP. It saddens me when they try to stop you, as it saddened me when they stomped out Sannel! It's all about image I'm afraid, and the air space for those who dare thumb their noses at the established image is shrinking daily. Keep fighting the good fight and I'll keep following, because we need you here on HP.
your devoted friend and fellow writer,
bill
Bill, my dear friend - the incredible story of your life will give me goosebumps - always!
i am grinning ear to ear that you chose my humble comment from the miles of comments you get - and deserve!
I hope you know that i look up to you, my Hub-mentor - leading with courage and grace..
i aspire to change the number of lives that you do each and every day - but - we both already know i won't be quite as 'graceful'...lol
sharing - obviously..
xx
ps..i'm going to 'link' this to my poem on the same topic - Mike taught me how to do it..lol..
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Thanks Deb! It seems to be a lesson that is hard to learn for some people.
Beautifully said, Billy. All we have is time, and we should use it wisely, as well as to enjoy ourselves.
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rfmoran, I will indeed keep telling variations of the story; hopefully those who need to hear will hear.
Thank you Sir!
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Eddy my dear, thank you! It took a lot of trial and error to develop this voice, but it finally feels natural and it is helpful to have you write confirmation of that. Thank you!
Have a great week; wishing you peace and happiness, today and all days,
bill
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Jordan, I'm glad I could be of some help. Have a great week in Georgia and thank you!
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Shelley, some of us take a little harder convincing before we see the truth. Thank you so much and I send you best wishes on this Monday.
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one2get2no, thank you. I very much appreciate your kind words.
You provide all who read this with a gift. It's a courageous thing to look at a troubled past and realize that things can change, and did. Keep sharing your wonderful story Bill.
As always Billy another true gem ;so naturally told.
I read somewhere once that we should write just as if we were talking to someone and this is just what you do!!!
Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful day.
Eddy.
This started my day off right. Thanks for another great hub. Voted up and shared my friend.
Thank you for sharing part of your life story with us, Bill. It's sad that we nearly have to leave this world, before we can appreciate what we have and enjoy it to the full. Voted up and across.
A remarkable story Billybuc..truly moving and that photograph 'of love' is also remarkable....I don't know this person but I can see the love in her eyes and in her smile. Voted up all the way.
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Zipper, the simple answer is yes, but I still have to re-program my brain to allow it to happen. That's where willingness came into the picture. :) Thank you for visiting and for the follow. I sense you are asking for a specific reason. Drop me a note if you should ever want to continue the discussion....and thank you again!
I think we all want to feel that way but we don't know how. When you decided you wanted to live did all the fear go away?
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Robin, thank you and I receive that in the spirit that it was given. I have learned to limit the number of people I follow; now I only follow those who have a certain perspective about life....and that includes you. I am proud to be your follower and humbled that you follow me. Thank you.
bill
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Daughter, you are actually oh so right about those who don't have the money to put food on the table. I have been there and I wasn't in love with life at the time. For me, it finally came down to perspective. Faced with death or poverty, poverty ends up looking pretty good. :)
We still have very little money; we meet our needs and do without our wants, and we both love life now. I totally agree with you, I would love to live long enough to see an egalitarian way of life, but what are the chances?
Thank you my friend, and I'm glad in this case my timing was impeccable. :)
Always forthright, always thought provoking, always insightful, always heartfelt and forever passionate. Your sage wisdom is appreciated here on the hub. Wishing you a long and beautifully punctuated life.
Best,
Robin
I agree wholeheartedly with this hub, billybuc. Nothing is more important than love, but allow me to be cynical for a moment.
I think most people (myself included at times - like now) are blinded by society's obsession with money. But there are those people who (like I said in my recent hub) don't have the money to put food on the table, and those are the people who can't find the joy in life even if they shine a spotlight on it. I'm actually quite interested in your take on that, since I know you've been through similar (if not exact) situations. (Hopefully, I just gave you another idea for a hub, one of which I'll be very interested in reading.)
Again, I agree with you completely, and it is very sad that so many people are robbed of their enjoyment of life. I love to see society shift to an egalitarian way of life, but I don't think I'll live that long lol
Thanks for brightening my day though, your timing is impeccable!
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Reba, I'll probably bounce around between the two names....they are both you, and you are both. :)
Thank you my friend! Life is good aboard the Love Train, as I know you know!
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Coffee, indeed, bring love back to function....just like that! I love that! I am grateful to Leslie and grateful to you and every Hubber who has embraced me. Thank you!
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Glimmer, I know, obviously, that my day is coming, when life will not be so easy....how far off that is I do not know, but I do know I'm going to get my money's worth out of the days I have left.
Thank you kind friend, and blessings to you today and always.
bill
One of the beautiful laws of the universe is that we gain so much more from giving love than receiving it, because in the giving, we receive. A beautiful, powerful hub that everyone needs to read and heed! I am so glad that you have hitched a ride on the love train, Bill! Thank you for a GORGEOUS hub! Reba P.S. Yes, you are welcome to use my "real" name, though Dancing Water is my Indian name. Bless you, dear Bill.
It is so beautiful, billybuc and how Leslie, a fellow hubber has sprinkled stardust on a special moment for you to feel her words which mounted up into a heartfelt story here.
We do question LOVE. But we shouldn't. In times that we have to question it, we have to find the answer, yes, the right answer and bring love back to function...just like that.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story and words of inspirations. Love you!
What a powerful message Bill. Everyone should heed this. Watching my father get more and more immobile makes me realize to live each day, because one day I may not be able to. This made me cry. Great read.
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Paula, I had no doubt that you would understand this hub and embrace it. Thank you, and speaking just for me of course, I am so happy that you and I made it! :) Hopefully we can somehow teach others about the appreciation of life.
Be well my friend!
Deep, moving and inspiring.......True, there' nothing like coming face to face with the threat of death, to bring us around full force. Nothing at all. if we've been blessed with that 2nd chance, absolutely nothing else matters nor comes between us and our will and our vow to make life more wonderful and more meaningful, than it ever may have been....before the awakening..........Amazingly comforting!...........UP+++
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Kelley, your comment is fantastic.....being still, reorienting yourself to your surrounding, and being present. Great advice my friend. These things take a lot of work to learn, as I well know. Thank you for a great addition to the discussion.
It is so true Bill how we can allow the tasks of life to steal our joy and that's when we turn to things like alcohol, spending, or other addictive behaviors in order to try to numb ourselves of the pain. I grew up in a very disconnected home where we talked a lot about nothing. I'm trying to learn to be more connected with my husband and children so that we call all experience the true part of life that is what you referred to in this article. Sometimes it is just the essence of being still, reorienting yourself to your surroundings, and just being present with people that helps me to remember the true meaning of living! Voted up across. Wonderful!!! Kelley
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Pickles, looking back, alcoholism is the best thing that could have happened to me. It forced me to look at life and decide whether I wanted to live or just exist. I am very appreciative for that choice. Thank you my friend!
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Justsilvie, thank you so much. I do believe your wish will come true....I plan on living to the fullest until my last breath, and then I'll die a happy man. Peace and happiness to you always.
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Vellur, I wish that everyone has the opportunity to be as happy as I am; wouldn't that be incredible????
Thank you my friend; I'm so happy that you enjoyed this hub.
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Thank you Elena! I hope you enjoy following Bev; she doesn't write often but what she does write is common sense and right on! Have a lovely day in London my friend, and if you are ever in the States, stop by and I'll buy you lunch and we will celebrate life as old friends.
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Mike, we can only hope that Bev believes that. lol Thanks buddy; I just read your latest hub and you took my breath away. I am so happy with my life....every single day brings more wonders, Mike....and it's all because I made a decision to fully live!
Thanks buddy!
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Noenhulk, thank you so much; wishing you peace and happiness today.
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Christin, it's too bad that most of us don't realize that fact until we are in our late years....think of all the enjoyment we could have had for decades! :) Thank you my friend!
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Spy, life is a wonderful show and we are the actors.....let's give the best performance of our lives! Thank you Myz!
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Made, I hope you are right, that Bev is lucky to have me. I know for a fact that I am incredibly lucky to have her....and lucky to have you as such a good friend. Thank you for being who you are!
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Gypsy, life is one big party for me. Sure there are down times, but they are so far outnumbered by the good, as to seem insignificant. I love life, as I know you do as well. Thank you my friend, and have a wonderful Sunday in Latvia!
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Martin, thank you, and I wish you luck with that book! Let me know when it's out; I'd love to read it.
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Ruby, it's so nice to see you! Thank you my Washington friend! Duck those raindrops and have a great day loving life.
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Cris, thank you, and now let's go out and see how much fun we can have today! Wishing you peace and love throughout your day.
Really good hub Billybuc. If we are lucky, we get a life changing event to wake us up, for most of us sleepwalk through a great part of our lives. I think now you are making up for lost time in a very conscious way. Congrats!
Marvelous Hub and Mindset. I think to reach that point of not being afraid to live or die and being happy where you are in life and no longer wanting to turn the clock back is having arrived. Arrived in that stage were you appreciate and are thankful for all you have, and envy or regret are also a thing of the past. You have arrived. May you enjoy that position until the end of your days.
Yes we must enjoy when we still can.
Awesome lines - "My wish for all of you is that you reach a point where you are not afraid to live, not afraid to die, and that you finally come to appreciate life as much as I do. May the wind always be at your back, and may the road rise up to meet you on your travels from this day forward."
A great hub reminding us about the value of life. live and to enjoy while we still can.
Very nice and inspiring, Bill. You have a lot more to offer in life and life has a lot more to offer you. I've been asking myself this question for weeks? ~ What's Bevs Hubpages profile? I want to make sure I am following this lovely lady. (Not stalking lol). You know what I mean. There's a chance that I might already be following her...
Thanks. :-)
Bill you did it again bro, wow!
Your words here is no joke, and I had no other alternative but to write yet another hub in response, because my comment would have filled up this wall here, you my dear friend are truly touched by the man upstairs.
This is what god speaks as well, the factors of love are emanating from off of the page here, and no matter what in life it seems or appears to be going on as well.
Your an awesome philanthropist Bill at getting others to see the same light, that you have seen in your life, more power to you bro. Super encouraging words from a super hubber. Bravo! (Bev you're the luckiest woman alive!)
Nice hub! That's right @christin53 I agree with you. I voted up your hub billybuc!
I think we are all guilty of rushing around and being too busy to enjoy life and our loved ones. The older I get the more I realise life doesn't go on for ever and it's best to live each new day as if it were your last. Excellent hub Billybuc :)
best time to enjoy is now..while we still can.. :)
I try to enjoy life every day and what I like the most is to be around my family. I know we have much to work on before coming one big, happy family. There's too much work in our lives right now, but I'm enjoying the little moments in life that makes me happy.
Very, very good and important hub. It really shows how much you aprreciate life, Bill. Bev is lucky to have you. :)
Voted up and awesome. Bill you have said it so well here and I know that everyone agrees with me that you provide encouragement and give us all incentive to enjoy life to the fullest. I just live each day and find at least one thing during the day which remains in my memory or makes the day really worthwhile. A super day is when there are many wonderful things to remember but even in an ordinary day one can find something special to reflect upon. Sprinkled in with faith and letting the Lord guide me day by day life is truly wonderful. Passing this on.
Thank you for the encouragement. I am more than satisfied with my life. I now exist to write comments and poetry (I am trying to get my book together)
Thanks Billy for the video to my favorite song! Yes, we truly can see clearly now. Recovery is such a blessed gift. Your powerful writing keeps us engaged. Love of life and Love of writing overlap for me quite often too. I agree, much better to keep the love of life first. Enjoy!
I love everything you said in this hub and yes, it is now...time is running out. Live, laugh, love~
What a delightful read! Voting up and beautiful.
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Sam, my pleasure! Thank you for the visit!
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Rajan, you summed it up perfectly. :) I do love life, and my fellow man, and that is my message!
Thank you friend! Wishing you peace and happiness always.
bill
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Rachel, life is incredibly short, and precious, and it should be treated as such. Believe me, I vividly remember my teen years, and I'm shocked that I am 64. :) Yes, I am a very lucky man to have Bev. Thank you Rachel; go for your dreams.
Awesome Bill, Thanks for this "Eye Opening" hub.
Voted up and Awesome
Bill, I feel your love for life and people overflow in each hub of yours and I know why! Life is short and we get just one shot at it. Right?
Wonderful thoughts as always.
Voting up and shared.
Beautiful hub. I think life is too short, and we don't understand it. I feel really bad for old people because they are old, near the end of their life, and I bet they know exactly how they would do it differently if they only had the time. So sad that so many people waste so much of their time - and that so many are alone. How happy for you, Bill, that you have Bev :)
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Cherylone, thank you very much; it is sad when we forget this message and get too busy to live with love.
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Thank you so much Maria! Life is certainly good for this boy! :)
Bill,
Love your message learned from life example...
Love that you found a soul mate who loves you as you both deserve...
Voted UP and UABI. Hugs, Maria
Wow, very powerful. I love where you say "live life to the fullest"; sadly we often find ourselves too busy to live. Great Hub.
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Jackie, i am blessed beyond comprehension! Thank you so much my friend!
Well all I can say is Bev is very lucky to have you. Men have a roving eye and don't seem to realize how lucky they are to be loved so much, but apparently you do! May you be blessed with many long years.
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Thank you lil' Sis! I, too, put in 10-12 hours per day, and I was doing it seven days a week, and a couple weeks ago I had to pull the plug on weekends and say "enough".....there is more to life than writing, even though I have a passion for writing.....Bev needs my attention and she is the person I love. Sheez, I can sure be dense sometimes. :)
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Rich, it is all about friendship and relationships....nothing else in this lifetime matters nearly as much. I was quite pleased with Linda's choice; in a few short months you have become a stalwart in this community, and that's good to see. Thanks buddy!
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