I’m reminded this week, once again, of how fragile life really is.

Over the years, I’ve been given many reminders of this when people I once knew closely, and people I loved deeply, are with us for a season and then are gone.

As devastating as that reality is, it continues to be one of my most powerful reminders to truly live. Not to retreat from life, but to lean into it. To experience it in all its variations, shades, and seasons. To become aware of the lessons and blessings found in each moment and in every person who crosses our path — whether they are with us for a season or for a lifetime.

So many of us become burdened by our wounds, our responsibilities, or consumed by what is happening “out there,” or with others, that we stop being open and present to the life happening now and within ourselves. And in doing so, we miss the gifts that life is always offering us: beauty, love, creativity, growth, wonder and so much more.

But how do we become open to this when our wounds so often ask us to close again?

We anchor into ourselves. We slow down. We become present. We open our hearts to life in all its infinite variations — as it unfolds.

We choose life anyway.

For those who left us too soon, for those still with us and for ourselves.

We live. ❤