As I write this blog, my beautiful sister is having open heart surgery at the age of 58. You see those sobering statistics everyday about women and heart disease. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 1 in every 4. Well, I am witnessing it. As women, we tend to push off our own pains many times to take care of the family, work or, of course, our daily duties.
Cheri began to feel increasingly tired and thought that, since she was going through menopause, the fatigue she was experiencing could be part of it, but then her lingering cough got worse. Like many women, sis kept the engines burning full speed with a senior in high school and serving as a financial provider for her family.
So today, this mug in my kitchen hit me once again. I bought it while going through my divorce. It reminded me to look forward, but also to enjoy each and every day as a gift. As a visionary type, I tend to be a forward-thinker and planner who often forgets to enjoy the daily moments.
Years ago, a great man counseled me to begin to look at each “hour” of my day. He pointed out how many moments are lost to my always looking forward. As the CEO of my firm, it was my job to look to our company’s future.
So, there is a balance. Learn from your past, but (try your best to) keep it there. Look forward to make a path where you may want to wander – and to lead a responsible life.
BUT – enjoy today and each hour as a gift. Take time to sit back and reflect… maybe even after reading this post. Look around you and enjoy the beauty in where you are. Take a deep breath and smell the sweetness of something in your space. And touch – reach out and touch something or someone. We have lost so much touch in this techno world we live in… well, except for keyboards and remote controls.
Reach out to your sister or mother and tell her how much you love her. As the mug says, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift… enjoy it!
Resort Girls be healthy and kind to your heart! Find more statistics on women and heart disease on the CDC Women and Heart Fact Sheet.
