How to THRIVE not just survive

I will never forget that look in his eyes when he asked "Where have the years gone? Here I am at the end of my life and it seems like it just started.” I knew if sat quietly and listened that some profound wisdom was about to be revealed to me.

His body was old and worn out. Cancer had taken its toll on what little energy he had left. Now only days away from leaving this earthly existence, his focus was clearly on what his life had been like. He talked about the good times and the regrets, too much complaining, not enough time for this or that, but in the end he said that his life had been good.

I learned so much from the time we spent over the next few days. I was able to get some insight into what is truly important in life. You see, we spend so much of our time doing what we have to do to survive and nowhere near enough time doing what we need to do to thrive.

As I absorbed the wisdom that was being imparted to me, I began to study my own life, and to give thought to whether I was merely surviving or thriving. Not sure that I could recognize the difference, yet I decided I needed to take more time to learn the true value of life from someone that had lived it and now was facing leaving it.

We quickly ran out of time as his old frail body finally gave way to the mortality of our human species. He left this place without giving me enough information to move forward in the manner which I desired; then, as I made the final drive home from visiting with him, it become apparent that he had given me exactly what I needed and it was now my chance to make a difference by using and sharing the gift I had received. I knew immediately if I were going to thrive I had to learn to spend my time living, not dying. Here are some of the lessons I learned from a person graduating to the next life with highest honors:

-- Decide today that your life is worth living, for without that decision you nor anyone can possibly thrive.

-- Do not wait till life is almost over to decide to start living it.

-- The past is just that - past, gone, out of here, can't change it, so MOVE on, even when others try to keep you there.

-- To have power in the present, you must have HOPE in your future.

-- It is critical that you see yourself as worthy of thriving.

-- Stop seeing and portraying yourself as a victim to others.

-- If you are going to throw a pity party, DO NOT invite others because they will throw a party of their own and invite you back. Oh, and to truly thrive, you can't stay at your own pity party for more than a few minutes.

-- Have faith in yourself and know that God planted in you the seeds of greatness.

-- Let go of the petty jealousies and issues that have held you back for years.

-- Forgive everyone that has caused you harm. If you continually harbor bitterness and hate, then the best you can ever hope for is to survive and even that will be a struggle.

-- If you believe and profess to be Christian, then treat others in the same manner that Christ would treat them.

-- Take care of yourself. It does not take an extra pill, potion, or lotion to get healthy; what it takes is you deciding you will do it.

-- Say YES more than you say no.

-- You can't finish a race you never start, and you can't score a basket if you don't throw the ball. Get in the game of life and play to win. If you choose to sit on the sidelines, at least cheer the others on.

-- Last is this - never cheat to win and always play fair. It takes a team to thrive which means you can't do it alone. God made us social beings with the ability to love and care for each other and together we can thrive.

Can we change the world? That depends on you and me and our desire to move beyond surviving into truly thriving.

peace to you
Dale