My world shifted a bit again today.  One of my best friends found out she has breast cancer.  A beautiful, vibrant woman with five children, for whom none of which, life will ever be the same.

I’ve said it many times and with each bit of bad news in my life, or negative health diagnosis for a loved one it becomes more evident:  Life can change in an instant.  Why are we not cherishing every healthy second?  Savoring every moment and being as kind and loving and thoughtful to our friends and family as we can?  Or even to people we don’t know for that matter?

I sat by my sister’s bedside during her last weeks of life as she lost her battle with the same wretched disease and learned a lot about how to live my own life from that point forward.

Life is not a game or a contest or a competition.  We are all in this together, just trying to do the best that we can.  Find out what makes you happy, AND DO IT.  Being happy, feeling love, doing things for others is what it’s all about for me.  Making other people happy, makes me happy and being happy is very important to me.

I don’t understand people who try to put other people down to make themselves feel better. I don’t understand people who thrive on drama and bad news, and look for what is “wrong” in the world.  You don’t have to look for it, it will find you.  Look for what is RIGHT, count your blessings and keep moving forward.  And never give up.  Who can tell you what you think is right for you is wrong, or you can’t have what you want?  Keep trying.  Expect a miracle and hope for the best.

It sure beats the alternative.