livelive365

This past week a good friend of mine passed away. Sad, very sad. He was my age. We grew up together, played baseball together. Used to hang out Saturday nights together before we started hanging out with our future wives. But that was a while ago; decades. Why did I lose touch with this old pal?

It doesn’t matter that I hadn’t seen or spoken to my friend who is gone for ages; his lose struck me as strongly as if I’d just recently spoken to him. I understand that childhood buddies often grow apart through the years, due to geographical, philosophical, or any or ophical-reasons. But just like reminiscing about an old flame or ex-wife, even a relationship that sadly turned sour after it was once nothing but sweetness, one should not forget what was, especially now when they are no longer here.

This was the third contemporary of mine to have died over the past few years. One sad, but true, commonality was the state of each of their health, and how they lived their lives (not as healthy as I wished they did) every day—a very common topic of this website.

I have mentioned many times over how the death of my father—twenty years ago this coming January—changed my life. How through his death I grew stronger, healthier, more focused and determined…you could even say that my dad’s death was the genesis of livelife365.

All this leads me to the theme of my website, of Mike Foster:

Livelive365!

Every day in every way.

That doesn’t mean to just work at losing weight, eating better, turning bad habits into better ones, enjoying hobbies, bettering relationships, laughing, loving, living. It means to cherish your time on earth, this precious commodity that sometimes seems ridiculous or stressful or mundane. But more often than not is wonderful, inspirational, amazing and worthwhile.



When we lose someone close to us, mortality pokes a finger on our shoulder and whispers the frailty of life into our ears. A wake up call, a reminder. Sad, for sure, but something that we need to hear from time to time.

The best send off for my friend, for me at least, is to remember the good times, the smiles and giggles, those years we hung out together as if they were yesterday.

And mostly to learn through this unfortunate death how vital and precious our time on earth is, and the lesson we must all remember: not to waste a second.




r.i.p…

M.T., B.H., D.W. R.J.P




Until next time…



Peace,



Mike

It Is What It Is

Life happens. Sometimes we react to it in a not-so-wonderful way. It is what it is. Life. In its essence, life can be so challenging that we often feel overwhelmed by it, or so bitter sweet that it brings us to our knees, debating whether to laugh or cry. And sometimes life is so stunning, so utterly, mysteriously beautiful that we are at a loss for words, and can only gasp at its wonder.

No matter what life offers us, it is what it is. In other words, it will happen either with us or without us; transpiring on its own accord, without a thought as to how it effects us.

While our hands may tied, for the most part, when confronted by many of life's karmic misfortunes or idiosyncratic inequities, we CAN control HOW we REACT to it, whatever life has in mind to toss our way.

Our ability to cope with whatever life offers us, both good and bad, is the measurement upon which we are ultimately judged, in this world and the next.

Life. It can be so awesome that your chest hurts from trying to contain its splendor. And then in the amount of time it takes to snap your fingers, can be so cruel, so disheartening, so bewildering that you can only shake your head, and utter in despair and hope:

IT IS WHAT IT IS



Until next time...

peace,

Mike
livelife365.com