Everyone deals with life changing events at some point in life; life is full of surprises, some are good, and others are tragic. But, if you were faced with a tragic life changing event today, would you be happy with your life? 

If there is one thing we can say with certainty, it is that life is unpredictable. As soon as you think you have everything figured out, here comes that dreaded curveball hitting you below the belt. The curveball could be losing a job or a relationship. It could be an attack on your health or that of a loved one. It can feel like for every two steps forward, you are taking two steps back, and suddenly the solid ground beneath your feet has become unstable. 

Reality is most people wait until terrible things happen before reevaluating how they “do” life. 

Have you ever felt like you have stepped into a world of uncertainty, gasping for air and trying to navigate a whirlwind that is now your life? Did you remain the same, or was change necessary in order to adapt to the new environment? 

Brad Caldwell shared how losing his good friend Chris to a brain tumor made him re-evaluate how he was doing life, professionally and personally. If you wonder how to change your life to be more present and connected to those around you, the first step is acknowledging what matters most in life. It’s essential to recognize the season of life you are in and how to focus on the things and people that matter most. 

Think about the life changing people in your life while you have time.

Levity, Brevity, and Clarity all play a part in determining who is in your life and each person’s role. We all need to have people to call on in those moments that take our breath away. 

• Who comes to mind on those days when life is taking you down for the count? 
• Who do you consider your lifeline? Do they know how you feel about them? 
• Have you been meaning to call but haven’t gotten around to it? 
• If they were gone tomorrow, would you regret what you didn’t say and do, or would you be smiling at the memories you created together? 

Set your priorities based on what matters most in life.

Priorities help us focus on the people and things that matter. Life changing events usually happen to us or those closest to us. Don’t wish you had more time with the people close to you. Setting priorities in your personal and professional life sustains the relationship’s life cycle. When you commit to something based on the order of importance, you get a bird’s eye view of what truly matters to you. 

• For example, if you are a parent who promised your child that you would go to a concert with them, can they count on you? 
• What about those that you work with? Can your team count on you to show up for them the way they show up for you? 
• Do you have integrity in both your personal and professional relationships? 
• Are you committed to not only speaking well but also living well?

Focus on what matters most in life because life is unpredictable.

The day will demand your time. Can you appreciate the day more than the demands it places on you? We all have to work at something, and our roles vary based on the situation or circumstance. We are business owners, leaders, caregivers, parents, teachers, etc. Are you finding time to give and receive grace in each interaction? 

There is a time to laugh, a time to cry, and a time to rejoice. Are you pausing to reflect and assess whether you are living in the present, or are you just passing through it? Life changing events can happen at any moment. Be prepared to look back and feel that you did all you could in every moment you were given to make the best life possible for you and those close to you. The day will provide many gifts. It is up to you to recognize them, receive them and then pass them on to others.