QOTD #6

[shavonfan]

"Live well, Laugh often, Love much"

[shavonfan]

I have no idea who wrote this, but I do remember very well where I first saw it and the inspiration behind it....at least for me. My Uncle Mike made a wall plaque of it and it hung in the kitchen of his families home. He passed away in 1995, at age 53. He was a great man, and the words that he carved out for everyone to see remind us just how much he in fact exemplified them! Thanks, Uncle Mike, for the true example of manhood that you inscribed on my life!

[ocelot]

I like that quote. Says alot more than the six words it has, I just hope everyone feels that they can do that. I know some people get hurt so much early in their life that they always live in the shadow of their past and can't "Live well, Laugh often, Love much."

[shavonfan]

Yeah, great point, Leona. I do believe, however, that no matter how much a person goes through in life, they can always live well (right) and love much. Hardships may keep you from laughing often, though. In as much as it is possible, I do believe we should try. And all the more reason because of just what you say. There are so many people out there who need a lifeline. If it's ours to give, we should do so freely.The rock group Kansas wrote these words in one of their songs........"Oh this life is a precious thing, my friend, and we just can't let it waste away....for there are too many empty lives, my friend, and we can't wait another day." I believe that to be true, and reason to do all we can do....for those whom you speak of.

[shavonfan]

" I know some people get hurt so much early in their life that they always live in the shadow of their past and can't ; "Live well, Laugh often, Love much." By the way, Leona, I consider myself one of those people who have been hurt early on in life, and spent a considerable amount of time living in the sahdows of my past. As a result, I made a lot of bad choices, became very unhappy,and didn't have a lot of love to give. It was because of people like my Uncle Mike, who didn't tell me, but showed me in the way in which he lived his own life, that eventually led to my overcoming "my own prison", so to speak. That and the grace of God. Since then, I consider myself what Henri Nouwen would call a "Wounded Healer." Basically, that's just a "ragamuffin"; a person who has once been hurt, now is healed, and spends his time living in a way to heal others who are now hurting. ( I hope that made sense ) But you are so very correct. Life is for living, and those of us who know it need to offer that hope to those who don't.

[shavonfan]

Mary Chapin Carpenter › Jubilee

I can tell by the way you’re walking, you don’t want company
I’ll let you alone and I’ll let you walk on and
In your own good time you’ll be
Back where the sun can find you, under the wise wishing tree
And with all of them made we’ll lie under the shade and call it a jubilee

And I can tell by the way you’re talking, that the past isn’t letting you go
There’s only so long you can take it all on,
And then the wrongs gotta be on it’s own
And when you’re ready to leave it behind you,
You’ll look back and all that you’ll see
Is the wreckage and rust that you left in the dust on your way to the jubilee

And I can tell by the way you’re listening,
That you’re still expecting to hear
Your name being called like a summons to all who have failed to account
For their doubts and their fears,
They can’t add up to much without you
And so if it were up to me I’d take hold of your hand
Saying come hear the band play your song at the jubilee

And I can tell by the way you’re searching,
For something you can’t even name
That you haven’t been able to come to the table,
Simply glad that you came
When you feel like this try to imagine that we’re all like frail boats on the sea
Just scanning the night for that great guiding light announcing the jubilee

And I can tell by the way you’re standing with your eyes filling with tears
That it’s habit alone that keeps you turning for home, even though your home is right here
Where the people who love you are gathered, under the wise wishing tree
May we all be considered then straight on delivered down to the jubilee

Because to people who love you are waiting,
And they’ll wait just as long as need be
When we look back and say those were halcyon days
We’re talking about jubilee

[shavonfan]

Leona, I want you to know that I completely agree with your remarks about people not always being in a position in life to "Live well, Laugh often, Love much." It is for that very reason that I got to thinking about the song I just posted, and it is for them ( us? ) that I include it here.

[shavonfan]

As I think about it, my uncle died at age 53 of cancer, and knew for some time that he wasn't going to live a long life. If anyone had reason NOT to laugh, it would have been him. But I think the lessons he was trying to teach with his life were to "seize the day" and to "stop and smell the roses" and to "know that your days are numbered." It just seems to me as I remember him that he didn't take life for granted. He made his life count to all those who knew him. As far as I'm concerned, LIFE IS HARD.....all the more reason to "Live well, Laugh often, Love much." And if for no other reason, for the children who watch in the wings; just like I did watching my uncle live his life before me.