It’s Monday, and the first working day of a new month – a great day to get a new start on an old list (or a new one)!  And that’s just what I am doing.  There’s lots going on around here, both personally and professionally, and it’s all good.  It’s a lot, though.  And, did I say, “it’s a lot”?    For me, it’s easy to forget the truly important things when there’s a lot going on (and even when there’s not), so I want to take this opportunity to remind you (and me) to do just that.

Almost a year ago, I was in a car accident.  It was very scary:  In one moment, we were riding along, only a few miles from home, and in the next, we were being hit by a red-light-runner, my car was spinning around several times in the intersection, and things were flying out of the open back door of the car.  Needless to say, Martha and I were jerked around pretty badly, and had a few minor injuries to nurse as a result.  The car was hurt worse, though, but was fixable, thank goodness.

What’s interesting, though, is that a few miles before that happened, we’d read a church billboard that had us thinking, and talking.  It said, “It’s the who, not the what.”  How poignant and appropriate – and important to remember!

The reason I am writing about this now, in addition to the approaching anniversary of that wreck, is a chance meeting I had with a stranger yesterday; someone who is a stranger no more.  Dogberry, Little Bit, Martha and I were taking a walk, enjoying the clear, crisp winter day.  As this woman approached us on the sidewalk, I began to move us all to the side, so she would see that she wouldn’t have to walk too close to the dogs.  (They can be intimidating.)  She commented that she wasn’t afraid of dogs, and even reached down to pet Little Bit.

Thus began our conversation.  As it turns out, her husband had been killed in an accident right where we were on our walk, just three months ago.  An avid cyclist, he was riding his bike to work, when a driver struck him.  He was killed instantly.

What does all of this have to do with taking a risk a day?  Well, if you ride a bike, or drive a car, or even go for walks, I guess you could say you are taking a risk, and we don’t often think it that way.  But the two risks I want to encourage us to ponder today, are (1) the risk of fully living each day, for we never know when it will be our last, and (2) the risk of fully loving the “who”s in our lives, for we never know if today is the last time we’ll have that chance.

What could you do today that would have you know, when you put your head on the pillow tonight, that you have lived this day to the fullest?

And, who are the “who”s in your life that are more important than the “what”s and have you told them lately that you love them?

This post is dedicated to my family, my friends, and my dogs.  I love you!

Laura Biering has an infectious zeal for coaching people who want to do enlivening work and live inspired lives. She's fired up about the power of taking risks - great and small - and the rewards that come as a result. She's also passionate about (1) creativity and authenticity and their potential to change the world, (2) frolicking with her adorable four-legged children, and (3) retreating with those she loves at her farm in Southeast Georgia, Brinson's Race. Visit her website at True Voices.
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