For Once in My Life

As a teenager in college, a friend of mine took me on a motorcycle ride for about 40 minutes along a very scenic route. It was on the then common Kawasaki. Donned in my helmet and the likes, I looked really good. It was exhilarating! That was a once in a lifetime ride and it will never happen again. Just like going on the Space Mountain ride at Disney World – one time! Part of the reason I went on the bike ride with my friend was that I trusted him, and I also needed to overcome my fear of the experience. As a young girl, I watched a van hit a motorcyclist and sent him flying in the air on the bike. The accident was seared in my memory – it was not a pretty sight. That kept me away from motorcycles all my life till then. I have tried as much as possible to face the things I fear, for even once in my life. That day I did – I only needed to do it once.

This picture was taken at car show in NYC some years ago. I saw the bike and I just had to – for old times’ sake. Maybe you’ve longed to do something, but fear, doubt, procrastination, or time had hindered you. You may want to just ‘jump’, take a chance and go for broke! Sometimes we don’t get do overs or a second chance, so just do it! With all that is going crazy around us, it’s still a beautiful world.

Life offers many beautiful experiences; some are so simple and cost nothing. I think there are some things that everyone should experience at least once before leaving earth. I consider them simple blessings and pleasures that make it worth living here on this harsh planet. You can add some to this list:

• Hold a newborn and look into their eyes
• Watch a sunset and a sunrise over the ocean
• Fall in love
• Have a crush [ even if it is unrequited]
• Forgive someone who never asked and doesn’t deserve it
• Feel someone’s heart beating against your chest
• Walk, run or dance in the rain
• Climb a mountain/ Climb a waterfall
• Open your eyes underwater and look at the ocean floor
• Kiss a love until you’re weak in the knees
• Fall asleep to the sound of rain
• Let a baby/child sleep on your chest
• Write a love letter and send it
• Receive a love letter and read it
• Take a bubble bath
• Float in the ocean with the sun in your face
• Climb a tree
• Plant something and watch it grow
• Talk to God and believe He hears you
• Expect God to respond to you
• Sing aloud
• Sleep without clothes😃
• Dance like no one’s watching
• Hug a total stranger
• Compliment a stranger and look into their eyes while doing it
• Pay a stranger’s bill/tab – at a store/supermarket or restaurant
• Give a stranger a lift
• Hitch a ride! [ I know… it’s 2023!]😁
• Cry unashamedly
• Confess a misstep
• Share a weakness, a struggle or shortcoming with someone
• Ask for forgiveness – Say you are sorry when it’s hard
• Laugh until you want to pee on yourself!
• Believe in long and lasting love – again!

***Thanks for reading – Live a little, for once in your life!