Take Nothing For Granted

Far too many of us seem to have this habit of taking things for granted. Taking people for granted. This is a lesson that I learned very early on to avoid and it has been firmly reinforced lately. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. There is no guarantee that things will be as they are today when tomorrow comes.

Loved ones, homes, jobs, our seemingly good health, all of these things can disappear in an instant. I’ve experienced the loss of each at one time or another. Your life can literally change in a flash. So why are you still taking anything for granted? Is it because you’ve never experienced any great loss? Or is it simply out of habit? Out of the constant presence of someone or something that leads you to believe they or it will always be there, no matter what?

Unfortunately, there are few constants in life. Nothing seems to remain forever. “All that shimmers is sure to fade away.” Those that we’d do anything for, often are not as loyal. Those that we’d protect by any means may ultimately be one of the first to strike. When times are hard you’ll discover who truly cares about you. Those who don’t? They’ll turn like the tides. These are the ones you’ll learn that you do not need in your life.

Sometimes we get to the point where we have to accept that certain people are not meant to be part of our lifelong journey. No matter what their relationship with you is or how long they’ve been a part of your life, for your own sake, it’s better to love them from a distance. Some people were only meant to come into our lives temporarily to teach us a lesson in one form or another. So we move on, lesson learned. Knowledge gained.

We have no way of knowing how many years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, or seconds we have left on this planet. So don’t waste your precious time on those who don’t think twice about you.

Trust, but do not be naive. Pay attention to those who are still standing by your side during the darkest of times. These are the people who care about you. These are the people that you can count on.

Love, but do not do so blindly. Love those who love you. Cherish every one of them and love them truly, unconditionally, and ever so deeply. Be there for them as they are for you. Make sure that they know that they matter to you! Hug your children extra tight and make sure that they know that you love them no matter what, without condition, ALWAYS! That they MATTER! You are their guide, their safe harbor, their foundation. So make sure it’s a solid one.

Never miss an opportunity to tell someone that you love them and what they mean to you. You may never get another chance to do so.

If you’re missing someone, call them! There will never be any time like the present!

If you fought and still haven’t resolved it, work through it. Don’t allow your ego, stubbornness, and the passing of time to turn your relationship into nothing more than a memory. If they truly matter to you: Apologize. It’s often that simple.

Hug a little tighter and love a bit more passionately. You’ll thank me later!

. . .

If you've enjoyed reading this, please consider giving it a "like" by clicking on the ❤️! If you'd like to read more of my writing, be sure to subscribe! Tips and pledges are voluntary, and so greatly appreciated!

This poem was originally published on Medium.