From the Heart: Never Withholding the Good Stuff

“The regret of my life is that I have not said 'I love you' often enough.” ~Yoko Ono

I have been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am to have the people in my life that I have... they mean the world to me.

They are the beacons in my life, the light-givers, the ones who whisper the kind words, who give me a little nudge when I need it, who offer me direction and guidance, and who wonderfully challenge me with the right questions, with truth, with honesty, and sometimes with their very presence.

And I find myself leaning on this small group of “select few”, my beloved, and could not imagine my life without them in it.

So I find myself considering the notion that I never, ever want to leave even a small, fragrant petal of gratitude for them unshared, that they may know, at any given moment, the depth of the love and adoration I have for them.

I never want to leave my fondness for them unexpressed, never want to withhold the “good stuff” that is the rare air that keeps any of us going, and that is the nourishment that we need to be sustained and to remain spiritually and emotionally healthy, and bloom.

Life is too short to withhold the good stuff from those whom we hold dear in our lives, those that are beloved...

See, never withholding the good stuff is quite possibly the simplest way to live a life that is free of regret.

One will never regret having said “I love you” too often, or offering a warm touch, or taking some time out of the day to connect, or lending an ear and truly listening to someone precious and dear in one's life.

One will never wish that they hadn't been present in another's life, or been a source of strength when a loved one needed it, or cared for one who was in need of some care.

It is always the opposite that is true: that regret comes from all the words that were never said, all the kind gestures never shared, all the hugs and kisses never given, all the time never spent.

This is the malevolent growth that eats away at the human spirit, and lays like a heavy stone upon the human heart.

But to freely offer up some light, some love, some encouragement, some kind words, some uplift, some intimacy in the form of one's self to someone that is beloved—this is the most basic yet deepest form of humanity one can experience.

So here is what I'd personally like to live by: if it crosses my mind to send a text or a quick email to let a loved one know that they're in my thoughts and in my heart, then I will do it.

If I can provide a warm touch, even a brief one—a quick kiss, a pat on the back, or a little rub of the shoulder—then I will provide it.

If I can set aside my work for a moment to rather be present with one that is dear to me because this is what is needed, then I will set it aside.

If I can leave a note of uplift, then I will leave it.

If I can say “I love you”, then I must.

Life is too short to withhold the good stuff from those whom we hold dear in our lives, those that are beloved...

The light, the care, the kindness, the encouragement should always be shared for the benefit of everyone involved.

After all, these are the very nutrients in life that build and that have staying power; they are what keeps the darkness at bay, and the light and the hope alive.

Taste what's good and pass it on.

Ingrid