You have come a long way, and you’re still learning and growing. Be thankful for the lessons. Take them and make the best of things today.
For my 18th birthday, many moons ago, my grandfather on my mom’s side gave me four lightly-used flannel shirts that he no longer needed. The shirts were barely worn and in great shape; my grandfather said he thought they would look great on me. Unfortunately, I thought they were odd gifts at the time and I wasn’t thankful. I looked at him skeptically, gave him a crooked half-smile, and moved on to the other gifts sitting in front of me. My grandfather died two days later from a sudden heart attack. The flannel shirts were the last gifts he ever gave me, and that crooked half-smile was the last time I directly acknowledged him. Today, I still regret the little thing I didn’t say when I had the chance: “Thank you Grandpa. I appreciate you.”
That was a huge wake-up call for me — one that has served me well for over two decades now.
And here are eight wake-up calls for all of us to reflect on today — some important lessons worth learning and living by, before it’s too late: (more…)
That’s such a heartfelt story about the importance of gratitude and cherishing moments with loved ones. It’s a reminder to appreciate even the smallest gestures, as they can carry deep meaning. The regret of not saying “thank you” is something many can relate to, and it’s a lesson to be more present and expressive. Time is fleeting, and acknowledging those we care about is essential. How can we ensure we don’t let such opportunities slip by in our own lives?