Make every second count

The last few days have been difficult for me personally. As everyone knows just a week ago Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter passed away in a helicopter accident. Not only was he an amazing athlete but also a great human being. Even though the sport is not quite big in India, everyone here was shocked after the news went public. Just like everyone else I was shocked by the news too. It made me realize that life is indeed short. We got to make every minute and every second count. Live your life to the fullest and have no regret whatsoever.

“Make every day count” is a generic phrase that you have definitely come across. It is a phrase everyone loves to hear because it sounds good. But how do we seize the day? How do we make the most of every moment? The answer is simple. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Every time we do something it could be our last task. While this thought might depress some, this is the only way we can be truly alive. Don’t waste time judging others. Stop spending a lot of your precious time doing something you hate. Everyone is creative in their own way. You don’t have to be a Picasso or a Mozart to be creative. There are too many ways to express creativity like music, art, writing, etc. Be grateful for what you have and who you are. We tend to forget to recognize our blessings. We often take things for granted like our parents, job or our loved ones. Developing an attitude of gratitude will help shift your focus from negative emotions. Sharing appreciation with others will help you be more positive. This will surely rub off on others as well. Laugh a bit more than yesterday. As kids, we always laughed with ease. Do you remember how much joy did laughing bring us? As adults we sometimes need to remind ourselves to be silly and see the funny side in every situation. Laughter can strengthen your immune system and reduce stress. Lastly, don’t forget to do things that you love. We come alive when we are engaged in activities we love to do. If you feel like going bungee jumping, go do it. If you feel like doing a stand-up comedy set in front of an audience, do it. Making time to enjoy the things you love is what makes life more joyful.

The next 24 hours have 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds. All I can tell you is that you will never live these moments again. So go out there and make your own masterpiece. And while you are at it don’t forget to hug your loved ones tonight before you sleep. Here’s to making every second the best of our lives. RIP Kobe!