photo credit: christophandre
“Wake up! If you knew for certain you had a terminal illness — if you had little time left to live — you would waste precious little of it! Well, I’m telling you…you do have a terminal illness: It’s called birth. You don’t have more than a few years left. No one does! So be happy now, without reason — or you will never be at all.” ~ Dan Millman
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Lance writes stories from his heart, aiming to inspire and motivate, as you align more fully with YOUR true peak. When he’s not here, you can find him hanging out with his family, riding a bike, or just generally acting goofy.
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{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Dearest lance,
You have become my Happy Sunday go to guy for too long now…hmm ..I’m happy today, cause you help me see HAPPY NOW 
This is my Mantra for life….Be happy NOW…no time like the present to truly be HAPPY right
Live everyday like it were your last…never will you ever regret any decision…forget any person…make any mistakes…Life will be GRAND EVERYDAY! Superb living hmm…
So so love this….thank you for cheering me up this Sunday Lance
So Much love to you sweet freind.
Z~
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s Last Fabulous Post ..How to live with the cycles and timetables of life
Zeenat,
And you truly DO shine you happy and beautiful presence into this world. What a gift that is!! So, know that it is an honor to share these words here, and to know that they have in some way reached into your soul….
Much, much love to you,
Lance
Lance, what a beautiful picture and what a great reminder! My hubby and I were just talking about how short life is, what are we waiting for?
Have a great Sunday with the fam!
xo
Nat
Natalia´s Last Fabulous Post ..Going in the right direction!
Hey Natalia,
…and how easy is it to slip into a state of forgetting just how short life is…
Great discussion you and your husband were having!
Happy Monday!
Lance
xoxo
This one is great, Lance. If more people walked around awake, I think the world would be a better place. We’ve got our heads down all the time, literally and figuratively. Happy Sunday to you! Hope you are well.
Stacey Shipman´s Last Fabulous Post ..How to Get More Movement in Your Day and Improve Your Health
Stacey,
Yes, the more “awake” we are, the more I believe we are living in congruence with who we truly are. And that is a place where our world IS better…
Happy Monday to YOU!!
Beautiful Lance
A timely reminder for we aussies over here in Queensland!
Thank you dear friend for this Sunday Thought for the Day… very much appreciated this week
Jean,
Wishing you and all the wonderful people of Queensland much comfort after all the flooding…
Much love,
Lance
I just wrote about this topic on my blog… I believe one of the biggest illusions in humanity is time. We think we have a lot of it, but don’t. One life, no do-overs. Live it well!
Teresa Thompson´s Last Fabulous Post ..Blended Families
Teresa,
Ahhh, so true!! This reminds me of a video – “The Days are Long, But The Years Are Short”. Just thinking about it now, and how quickly this last year went by…
…live it well, indeed!
Hi Lance:
Great quote…it feels so true and the quote hits me at an interesting time. By the way, I’ve read a few of Dan Millman’s “Peaceful Warrior” books and found them to be very enlightening and entertaining. Thanks for this great reminder (along with an awesome pic) today!
Tim´s Last Fabulous Post ..Book Review- Wherever You Go There You Are
Tim,
I love the works of Dan Millman….great stuff to really soak in.
Hope all is well with you, and wishing you much peace and joy today….
I feel like I had a dream about this or something (that I was terminally ill)… Regardless, this is fantastic advice, my friend. I love the quote, and I love you! Happy Sunday!
Megan,
Maybe that’s what we need to “wake us up”….a dream about how life might be were we terminally ill…
Love you too!!!
Lance
Lance, I have thought about this & it is a hard lesson to teach ourselves – that today is today but tomorrow is not a certainty for all. Yes, it will come but whether we will be there is always up in the air. Something to really think about & I do!
Jody – Fit at 53´s Last Fabulous Post ..Saturday Funny
Jody,
Yes, that’s it…we kind of think we’re invincible. Or at least, that tomorrow will always come. And really – there are no guarantees of that….
Hi Lance,
My gosh what a wonderful photograph. I found myself just staring at it! So beautiful. Thanks!
~Dandy
Dandy´s Last Fabulous Post ..Live out of your imagination- not your history!
Dandy,
Baby pictures sure are pretty sweet, aren’t they!
I love this Lance, and preach this message all the time. Now is all we have and so now is when we have to choose to be happy, instead of postponing it till everything is perfect. This particular quote is new to me though, and one I’m going to pinch for sure!
Hilda´s Last Fabulous Post ..Challenge for 2011- be happy – no matter what!
Hilda,
This quote was new to me – and I love how it reaches me in a new way…
All good, especially when thinking about the fragility of life…
Why let worry and fear take away your passion for life?
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker´s Last Fabulous Post ..My One Word For 2011 Is Exploration
Patricia,
…so, so true….
True! But so hard to grasp. Today I’ve thought about getting caught up in the mundane things, everything we DO each day by routine. When do our days start to become just routine? Did I do anything really worthwile today? Something of value to my own life or someone else’s? Thanks for another lovely and important Sunday thought!
Adrenalynn´s Last Fabulous Post ..Ice Ice Baby
Lynn,
Ahhh….routine…
I suppose there is some good in routine – and in knowing that there’s a level of comfort in knowing what/how things will happen (…does laundry really qualify here!?!?!?).
I KNOW that you did many somethings that are worthwhile today. I know it! See, it may feel routine, and yet there is still good in that.
What you have shared here, though – it really is making me think more deeply about all of this. And so, thank you so much for that.
Much love to you…always,
Lance
Be Happy so true- last week I realised how simple it is to make that shift to happiness. the beach is my happy place to go if I need to wake up
thanks Lance you have inspired a Happy blog post from me this week
love and hugs
Suzie
Suzie Cheel´s Last Fabulous Post ..Learn How To Be The Expert in Your Niche
Suzie,
Mmmm…and how lovely you have a beach to go to!!
Much love to YOU!
Lance
Happy Day Lance,
This is a great reminder we never know when we’ll take our last breath. How horrible it would be to find ourselves on our death bed saying, “I shoulda”. All the more reason to live in the present and embrace that which we’re blessed with.
Barbara Swafford´s Last Fabulous Post ..Take One Thing Off
Barbara,
Happy Monday!
The “I shoulda’s” are so worth avoiding. Still, are we? Or do we think we are, and perhaps are fooling ourselves? Something to think about more deeply, for sure…
I love love love that last line, Lance, “So be happy now, without reason – or you will never be at all.” Exactly.
Lynn´s Last Fabulous Post ..Darkness into light- good neighbor and anniversary
Lynn,
….happiness that starts within…
I like living life with a sense of urgency, and this is a great reminder of why.
J.D. Meier´s Last Fabulous Post ..My How of Happiness by Jacob Sokol
JD,
It sure is a great reminder!! Just the thought of being terminally ill is one that makes me think a bit deeper about this journey I’m traveling…
Great lines with beautiful meaning. Thanks for remembering we have little time left and we must enjoy each moment.
Shailender @ Romantic Getaways´s Last Fabulous Post ..Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from India Darshan
Shailender,
…and it is really about keeping this thought as part of our being…every day…
Brilliantly said! Thank you for sharing
Naomi Estment´s Last Fabulous Post ..A gift that keeps on giving…
Be happy now. Be present now. Live each moment with joy, reverence, and wonder. What are we all waiting for?
I had to give blood vials at the lab this morning – not a super fun thing – but all I could think of was…..what a wonder it all was. They take your blood, can run tests on it, have technicians that do this, the body regenerates the blood. It was a fascinating moment and that is what waking up is about. Just looking around.
Can’t wait to see your new “do”.
Living, Loving, Laughing´s Last Fabulous Post ..Pet Portrait Photo Tips
Angelia,
Ahh…I love what you have shared! Our body is an amazing vessel. Just look at how it regens the blood in our veins! And…what is really in our blood – so, so amazing…our bodies!! And that is truly waking up when we “see” this more deeply…
I found you through Jannie, you’re awesome!
Alessandra,
You are SWEET!!! (thank YOU!!!)
And…it is great to have you here!
Awwww so beautiful Lance. I am officialy 8 months pregnant now (i know when we met I think I was on my 1st trimester hmmpwww time flies) I always ponder of the idea of cosmic birth as it pertains to the loving soul inside me. I know that when I walk in love and beauty everyday she feels my moods, emotions, and happiness. I am truly excited and happy everyday to be given a chance to carry this life inside me. Love your reminder Lance
Therese Miu´s Last Fabulous Post ..6 Amazing Women Share their Story Of Struggles- Success- & Inspiration
Therese,
It’s so, so great to see you here today!
Wow, time sure does fly!! It’s almost baby time for YOU!! And how awesome – you awareness into the life that is living within you. I feel that beauty and love in you every time our paths cross, as well…so know that you impact not only that life inside of you, but others too (like me!).
…and I’m excited for you and for all that lies ahead!
If I knew I had a terminal illness, I wouldn’t be wasting a second on those things that I waste time on right now. I can’t help but feel a little bitter at this sentiment, however. It’s lovely to say “embrace life” and “appreciate each moment now,” but the fact is people still have to work to eat, and not everyone can or knows how to turn their passion into profit, as Jack Canfield says. The success stories about hundreds of failures before the big success never mention the frustration and dismay, do they?
Delena Silverfox@YouLoveCoupons´s Last Fabulous Post ..Network Solutions Offer Code
Delena,
You most definitely bring up a great point. We can still have frustration in our lives. Perhaps it is in just trusting that whatever happens, there is something good that will come of it. (it’s easy to write that…and another thing altogether to “live” it) See, I believe the Universe wants very much for us to succeed. Are we, though, open to believing that whatever happens, this can all lead us to some wonderful place??
Delena, thank you so much for your very meaningful, and truth-spoken comments. Your candor and honesty are very much appreciated. Perhaps, as well, I’ll plan to share my thoughts on all of this in a future post…
Lance, this quote is challenging, but it has never put things into perspective more since I recently lost a friend to a terminal illness. In the last weeks of his life, I was able to videotape him as he left some parting thoughts for his two small daughters. I’m glad I was able to keep it together. One thing I’ll never forget he said is, “Don’t ever be so afraid of failure that you don’t take chances.”
Blessings. And great site here. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Bryan Thompson´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Rules For Making A Good Impression
Bryan,
It’s great to “meet” you!!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. What a powerful experience that must have been, though – to be a part of these thoughts as he moved from earthly life to something more beautiful.
So, to taking chances…to really living…to failing…to succeeding…to having the experience of being alive here during our time on earth…
Thanks so much for your comment, and especially for sharing this very meaningful story.
I look forward to a revamped Sunday Thoughts. It’ll be great to keep myself inspired during the weekends too. I’ve just subscribed and to be part of a growing awesome tribe. More power to you, Lance!
Evelyn Lim´s Last Fabulous Post ..70 Ways For Self Care
Evelyn,
The revamped Sunday Thoughts are getting close!! Probably within a couple of weeks, now!!
And, Evelyn, it is always so good to have you here…
Be happy now, without reason – or you will never be at all. — I was hit with these words. I am now suffering from the consequences that resulted from a terrible mistake I’ve done in the past and I don’t know if I can still face the world with a smile. I guess, I have no choice but to deal with it. As what the saying goes, Life goes on and it doesn’t stop with just one mistake.
Mariam´s Last Fabulous Post ..Importance of Social Media
Hi Lance. Thanks for sharing this. It’s, undoubtedly, a very motivating post! It really has a simple yet powerful message.
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