Lesley Pelkey's Blog

The Neverending Second Chance…

January 10, 2012 at 4:17 am (empowerment, evolution, love, motivation, self realization, spirituality, transformation, Uncategorized)

2012 is here and we are well on our way into the New Year.  As I set my sights on the year to come I still continue to reflect over the last year of my life.  I never make New Years’ resolutions.  I feel my life is nothing more than practice and my only goal is to continuously be in process of creating something better than before.  To me, the whole idea of making a resolution is only a sheer attempt to rebound or fix something wrong.  That has never really resonated with me. 

 As time continues to unfold I find myself growing closer to understanding the truth in finding peace, love, joy and embracing the richness of life itself.  Growing up I remember hearing adults complain about getting older.  I always imagined that when I reached their age life would really suck, but so far I have discovered the complete opposite. 

 With that being said, I am not claiming the last year to be anything comparable to a series of beautiful summer days with refreshing cocktails on the patio.  There were definitely many memorable and wonderful moments, but take my word when I say it also had its fair share of challenging times.  People always talk about starting a new year with a clean slate.  I love that idea and I am all for fresh starts.  In fact, I have taken far more than my share of chances at hitting reset, but sometimes a totally fresh start is not necessarily what’s best.  If it helps me build a greater foundation for living a richer, fuller life of meaning then its worth holding onto.  

 I think one of the most unfortunate realities I faced in 2011 was witnessing the loss of life.  It is one thing when someone passes on in their later years but it is a whole different kind of grief when the life that is lost is a young one.  There is no way to ever prepare for the turmoil that follows the moment a young life has lefts us in physical world.     

 One morning late last spring I woke up early and set out for my usual run.  I was working a lot and having difficulty sleeping at the time so I was extremely tired.  It would have been much easier to stay in bed.  Despite my grogginess and internal banter of complaints I pushed myself out the door and started down the street.  I was not even half way down the block when I heard…. “You don’t have to do this. You get to.”

 Almost immediately I felt the presence of many of those who have passed on to the spirit world.  Those words were really true.  I didn’t have to get up that morning and do anything, but for the single reason of simply being alive I was given the privilege.  I was suddenly made aware of the richness of my life.  How could I have been so careless and selfish for so long?  Straining to see through sleepy eyes is never fun, but it was also something that was no longer an option for those who have passed on from this life and neither was the beauty in taking a deep breath of the morning air. I realized I had a second chance; a second chance to exercise the privilege to be alive.

 Almost immediately my tired eyes were opened to a new world completely saturated with grace.  I believe in that moment I received a message that made me aware of an invaluable gift and it was not just meant for me, but also meant for you.  It was the gift that revealed my life and yours is nothing more than a constant flow of second chances.  A series of second chances that the ones you dearly loved never got.  Each moment in every day is a second chance to live, breath, walk, talk, love, learn and grow.   

 I invite you to put some thought into this and how deep your second chances run.  They are not something you get at certain times or special circumstances. They are in every moment of every day in every breath and every choice.  Taking your second chances means you get to…

 Appreciate those times in life you call a “pain in the ass” simply because you can. 

 Be excited about your birthday regardless of the number because it is a privilege to age.

 Wake up early to witness the miracle of watching the sun rise or making the time in the evening to see the sun set. 

 Forgive, accept and love yourself enough to let go of anything that doesn’t feed your soul life energy.

 Stand tall on your own because you’re capable and stronger than you thought possible. 

 Take advantage of the opportunities you have taken for granted for far too long. 

 Love again…. And again… And again….

 I think the message here is pretty clear.  There is no way for you to be alive and there is nothing that you can do that does not come accompanied by a second chance. 

 Perhaps Richard Bach said it best when he said, “Here is a test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished; If your alive it isn’t.”  The truth is you will never be able to change the past or bring back those you love but as divine grace would have it you’re still here and that’s no accident.  I know that some times the heaviness of our grief can make it feel impossible to make any movement away from the depths of despair.  If this is you then just remember this….  It’s not about you.  Its about honoring those you love because you can and that’s the way they would have it.  Feel their love in your heart and deep in your soul and take your chance. 

 It is a beautiful thought to imagine that the life and legacy of those you love can carry on through your willingness to take a second chance.  The question is… will you take yours or will you just let them slip away? 

 May you live each day dwelling in second chances not because you have to…. but because you get to…

 Much love and many second chances my friends!  Xo,L