Live Each Day To The Fullest Because You’ll Never Get It Back

I’m going to step away from income, money and internet marketing for this post and tell you something really important that I just realized today. I can tell you exactly when and where I had this revelation. It was 3:30pm today, February 7th at the corner of Scripps Poway Pkwy and Scripps Highland Road. Why was this so important? Because this happened:

I was driving at a normal speed down the road when the light in front of me turned yellow, and the guy in front of me, who could have very well went through the light since he was already at the intersection, decides to stop. Mind you, it was raining in San Diego today, so when I braked, my truck hydroplaned and you can guess what happened next (see picture).

Don’t worry, everyone involved in the accident was okay, but it just showed me that sometimes life pulls you in directions that you never planned for, and you just have to deal. The thing that scared me the most was the thought of someone dying, or even myself dying and the impact that would have on other people in my life, and my life as a whole.

I thought about my fiancee and how she would feel if something happened to me, especially right before our wedding. Then I thought about my family and friends, and then the children that I don’t even have yet. The thoughts going through my head actually brought tears to my eyes.

So I realized that we should live each day to the fullest because you never know, it could be the last. I should never be so upset at an event or anybody that it takes away my ability to enjoy life, whether it’s a car accident and knowing the fact that my premiums are going to skyrocket, or something like a layoff from a job. I will forever be grateful for each day I live and make sure I live each day to the fullest.

All I ask of you today, is to make sure you tell your loved ones at home, or even over the phone, to let them know that you love them. Give your children a hug, kiss your spouses hand – just let them know show them that you’ll always love them no matter what.

And no matter what happens, always keep your head up high.

Be safe everyone. Thanks.

Posted on : February 8th, 2009

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23 Comments (Click Here to Leave a Comment Below)

Reply tom on February 8th, 2009 at 9:06 am

Events like these should be taken positively because they are probably telling us something else, which in your case it might have been to live life to the fullest.
Instead too many people go around whining and complaining that their life sucks, and they have bad luck.

tom´s last blog post..What would you do with $1 Billion?

Reply Jeff on February 8th, 2009 at 9:32 am

My sympathy to your unfortunate events (or fortunate, since you grew from this). While I don’t wish these events to happen, it’s in a strange way that I believe that each of us has to go through something similar to this in order to enjoy life better, giving us a better idea towards life and ourselves.

Hope everything is OK in your end, Pat!

Jeff´s last blog post..eHowlity 5: eHow Questions Answered

Reply Dan on February 8th, 2009 at 10:03 am

Glad you and the others involved were okay. Although it’s fun to follow the entrepreneur and money aspects of your blog, these kinds of posts help keep us grounded in what should truly be our priorities- family, and attitude- thankfulness. Thanks for sharing and I hope the whiplash isn’t hitting you too hard today.

Reply Vik Dulat on February 8th, 2009 at 11:34 am

Sorry for the accident man. Hope you’re ok. The truck can be replaced. Just be thankful you are ok.

Vik Dulat´s last blog post..How to eat a healthy and cheap breakfast

Reply Sarah H. on February 8th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Wow, glad you’re okay Pat. Good advice…we should always live each day to the fullest, no matter what. Best of luck with your car!

Sarah H.´s last blog post..Mission: Appliances – Wok

Reply Start-Up on February 8th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

I know you said you were getting away from money for this post, but events like this always make me thing about my emergency fund. It’s so nice to not have to worry about how you’re going to cover your deductible when accidents like this happen. I’m glad everyone’s okay and that’s really all that matters in the end.

Start-Up´s last blog post..Comment on My Favorite Blog Articles of the Week by pfincome

Reply Earlyriser on February 8th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Things like this can rock your world. Thank God you are okay. The Buddhists call this a moment of clarity. I don’t know what else to say, man. Go hold your girl and enjoy breathing. It’s an excellent thing.
Andy

Earlyriser´s last blog post..

Reply Suze on February 8th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

Pat, my blogging friend. So glad you are alright. It’s some kind of crazy phenomenon, when we start getting life going in the right direction, seems that certain leftover energies need cleaning up, hence car accidents, etc. Just keep dealing, keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Suze´s last blog post..You Can’t Tummy Tuck a Being of Light

Reply Will on February 8th, 2009 at 10:50 pm

Glad to hear that you’re okay, Pat. It’s great that you have a good attitude about the experience. It would have been easy to come down with a bad case of “Why Me?”, but you are using what happened to you to remind people of how sweet and short life can be.

Will´s last blog post..Home Grown Tomatoes

Reply Big truck trader on February 9th, 2009 at 12:44 am

a very good advice … i too think that we should live each n every day of our life to the fullest … no one knows what is going to be next

this post touched my heart and made me feel the same as u were …
good to hear that ur ok and hey be safe

Reply Steve on February 9th, 2009 at 9:18 am

Incidents like this definitely clarify what really is most important in life.

I was given feedback over the weekend that my 7 year old would like to have more ‘down time’ with her Dad, but he is always doing this (and she made the motions of me typing). Your blog makes me realize that I need to invest some precious time into her precious life.

Steve´s last blog post..Links for 2009-01-11 [del.icio.us]

Reply Dusty on February 9th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Wow Pat – I am glad that you are OK.

Reply Maria -- WriterGig on February 9th, 2009 at 9:52 am

Hey Pat, I’m glad you’re okay. It’s funny how much good can come out of incidents like this, which remind of of what is really important. I’ve had several such moments of clarity and they really affect how I prioritize things in my life.

Maria — WriterGig´s last blog post..Free Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide from Google

Reply Pat on February 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I’m getting a new vehicle today from my friend whose been trying to sell his car for a while. I just need something cheap now that I can pay for in full, so I don’t have to worry about any monthly payments. I’ll worry about the new car later on, once a house is underway.

Even though I’m making a bit of money online, that doesn’t mean I have to spend it! Save save save!

Thanks again all

Reply Vik Dulat on February 10th, 2009 at 12:36 am

@Pat, You’re a very smart man. what type of car are you getting?

Vik Dulat´s last blog post..How to eat a healthy and cheap breakfast

Reply Pat on February 10th, 2009 at 1:54 am

@Vik Dulat, It’s a 97′ chevy S10, for about $2000. I took it into the shop where it usually gets serviced, and they told me it’s in tip-top shape and should be ready to sell. Smog check tomorrow and it’s good to go!

Reply Big truck trader on February 15th, 2009 at 10:22 pm

@Pat, ur right on Savings Pat … my Parents also always suggest me the same thing … ha ha ha

but yea sometimes i too try on saving few $$ if necessary like ur doing on getting old car … i liked ur way

Reply richerandslimmer.com on February 10th, 2009 at 12:19 am

I am glad that you are ok. Good luck with everything.

richerandslimmer.com´s last blog post..Savings Series: Save Money with Brown Bag Lunches

Reply 2ThePoint on February 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm

Pat,

I’m real glad you’re ok. With all the bad news we’re constantly bombarded with in the news, it’s good to hear that all that got damaged was your car. It wasn’t your time, was just a reminder, a life jolt, a lesson for you and an indirect lesson for us should we wish to listen.

take care…

2ThePoint´s last blog post..The Wind’s Changing Direction…Finally…

Reply ike on February 12th, 2009 at 4:13 am

the obvious is pay attention when you are behind the wheekl and be thankful no one was hurt.
appreciation of each day is hard but comes to forefront in these times.My theory is F it,positive attitude and ignore the ignorant.Blasting or yelling at someone makes it worse.The Bankers on TV today do not know little guys but stride on.Jealousy and politics are hand in hand today.
ike

Reply Mike on February 12th, 2009 at 4:58 am

Don’t miss the other (sign) (lesson). Like Life Don’t drive too fast. Slow down cause you aint gonna have time to stop(enjoy). Had this happen to me once. IT was an insurance fraud thing. Guy slammed on his breaks at a green light in the rain voila hydroplane. Glad your Ok.

Reply WrenC on February 12th, 2009 at 8:10 am

Glad you’re all right. I just started reading your blog a few weeks ago. You have some really good content. Thanks.
As far as the lesson–too many people, myself included sometimes, lose sight of living life and get too caught up with their jobs, bills, other worries. That why I like your blog–it lets people know that its possible to free up time for living and still make ends meet.

Wren@Tired of Being Poor´s last blog post..Tax Hacks, Part 3: Self-Employment Taxes

Reply Sid on February 13th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I went through an accident similar to the one you went through except I went through the windshield. It really wakes you up.