Life is a gift. Live without regret.

Every new day is a gift. Tomorrow is promised to no one.  Here are some little reminders of ways to live life passionately and without regrets.

1. Let go of old grudges.

Something happened years ago that caused you to stop talking to your sister, best friend, child, or parent. So much time has passed that you might not even realize how it all started. And, with the passage of time, you don’t know how to get the relationship back on track. You may be embarrassed, nervous, or even still angry. Well, how would you feel if you never had the chance to mend the relationship? Do something today to bring yourself a step closer to forgiving, forgetting, and moving on. Send a simple email or text that says I miss you. Give your loved one a call and say I’m sorry. Send a handwritten note letting them know that you want to get back on track. Your actions may or may not be well received, but at least you will know that you tried to make amends. Once you are able to start talking again, let go of any negative feelings associated with the past. It’s over. Move on.

2. Eat dinner on your good china.

So many of us are afraid to use the good stuff. We are saving it all for a special occasion. Well, today is special and that special moment your waiting for may not ever happen. So, get out the good china and use it for Sunday dinner when you celebrate what a special family you have. Wear that new dress that you bought (while it still looks great on you) and go out and celebrate. Wear your diamond earrings and feel good about how pretty they make you feel. Turn your good dining room you use once a year into a usable space that you an enjoy every day. Celebrate you and this wonderful life you have every day!

3. Go on that fabulous vacation you’ve been dreaming about.

You’ve always talked about going to Italy, visiting the Grand Canyon, or spending a week on the beach. Now is the time to make it happen! If you can’t afford to go this year, then make an effort to put away so much each month and plan it for the next year or two. Someday will never come. So quit dreaming that someday you will go a family cruise and take positive action to make it happen. The years will go by no matter what. If you absolutely can’t go on your dream vacation, then be sure to at least plan a weekend with your family where you all can be together.

4. Learn something new.

If every time you watch Dancing with the Stars you dream of gliding across the dance floor yourself, then sign up for a lesson or two. You’ve always wanted to learn how to dance,  paint, or sew. Now is the time to try something new!  Again, the years will continue to fly by, you should vow to do something new each year. Not only will you expand your horizons, but you will have lots of fun in the process. Encourage your family members to try new things as well.

5. Change your thinking.

If you are already a positive thinker – great! If not, consciously change the way you look at the world. This really could change your life. Life seems to fly by, you might as well try to get the most out of every minute! Positive thinking will open up new doors for you. You will see most situations in a new light. Positive thinking can be very empowering. You will have more confidence, feel happier, and be able to come up with better solutions to your problems. Try to start each day with a positive thought. This will set the tone for your entire day.

6. Don’t forget to say, “I love you”.

This seems obvious, but how often do you tell your loved ones how you feel about them? Make sure you tell your family and friends how much you care often. Yes, they might already know, but somehow hearing the words feels pretty good. So, take the time to say “I love you” to those you care about. You can also show them how much you care through phone calls, emails, hugs, and simple acts of kindness.

Think about all of the things you could do to improve your life and try to make these things happen. Life is a wonderful journey, not a destination. Enjoy the time you have to the fullest. Live your life in a positive way. Let go of any negativity that is holding you back. Make amends. Try new things. Make positive changes to live the life you’ve dreamed of. Live without regrets! Make your days count and plan for a better tomorrow!  You can’t change the past, but you can plan for an amazing future!

Christy Burke

Christy is a freelance graphic designer, full-time mommy, positive thinker and part-time blogger.