build your beautiful self

Over the last couple of weeks I have had the distinct pleasure of speaking with a few individuals of varying ages and life states. I know that all those self-help, inspirational quoting, I am going to be a life coach type people out there always talk about living like it is your last day for you could die tomorrow in their speeches. The thing I have found as a common theme is that absolutely life is short, and absolutely your life could change any minute of any day, however, you should be out there trying to accomplish dreams and taking care of yourself, not spending every day bungee jumping, speed racing or extreme living.

I spoke with a gentleman whose mother passed and he is dealing with her estate. He is of the older generation and not in the greatest of health himself.We chatted about his life. He owned a gas station across the street in the 70’s when gas was scarce. He remembered cars lined up for blocks in both directions to get gas. He also worked as a brakeman on the railroad for a long portion of his life and had many stories from that to tell as well. He has had children and raised them and had to deal with losing his parents. Luckily his wife is still with him he said.

While we were chatting he starts talking about the economy and how different the world is now compared to younger years. He looked at me and told me that I should remember once I start having kids how expensive and difficult it is to raise children (I told him I had two older kids already which shocked him lol). He said when you’re younger, it doesn’t seem like time is going by very quickly, but it is. “It goes so fast, you really have to try to do all the things you want to do! Take vacations, work hard, accomplish as much as you can!” he said. “Before you know it…(he paused, put his hand to his chest, closed his eyes and was deep in thought for a couple of minutes here) you wake up and your kids are grown and your health won’t allow you to enjoy those things as thoroughly as before. Sure you can take vacations, but they are much different at this stage in life.” He spoke on about many things and was grateful for the help we are giving him with his mother’s home, but the conversation was priceless.

The next day, I went to another property. I met with a lady who is in her later 30’s. She was a big hitter sales manager for a very large company that sells most of the products you use on a daily basis. She was working directly under CEO’s, Directors and large customer’s telling them what they should be changing about the company and how their sales organization works.

She was in a car accident that would change her life forever. Multiple surgeries, skin grafts to repair the places that were burned almost to the bone, and pain that is relentless sometimes.  She is now unable to work and her whole identity was shifted. She had no idea how to be this new person who can’t live the life she lived. She felt powerless, and completely altered. After a long while of recovery, she started looking into herself. She realized that it was a blessing to her to have these things happen to her because now she can pursue her passion for clothing design and creation. She decided to take a 2 week sabbatical where she went to Mexico, dropped her cell in the room turned off, and just lived while breathing the salt air. She came back renewed. She is my new friend and I plan to spend some time with her getting to know her. She wants to give back and be a blessing for others. She says that is her soul mission. “I was put in this position to make a difference in the world, one person at a time.” What a profound way to look at life!

Everyday I am fortunate to encounter people in all types of people in all kinds of circumstances. If I am able to help them out in one part of their lives my day is complete! It takes maybe an hour of your time to really listen to someone’s story and hear their message. Everyone has a message. It may be a small point in a story of misery (or complaining), or it may be that bigger life message that comes across as someone’s life experiences, but nonetheless, if you pick it up out of the noise, it will forever change you!

Have a great day! Vida Davina! (the divine life)