Burton Family 5: November 2009

It is November, 2009. I seriously can not believe how fast time really seems to fleet out of our lives. A year ago at this time, life in our family was very different. We were chering for our Florida Gators and hoping that somehow this team would win, this team would lose and the Gators could somehow make it back to the championship game--well stars aligned and the Gators did make it back to the game and did WIN ! National Champions for the second tiem in 3 years. What a great accomplishment--but what does it really all mean in the grand scheme of things?

Football is one of my favorite pasttimes. I love to watch it, watch the x's and o's of it all- both college and professional. I love to play Fantasy Football and follow the excellence of some of the football greats-BUT what does it do for me at the end of the day? It makes me happy, it gives me joy, but that's where it ends.

A year ago, life was different... I took things for granted. Life can throw you a road block in an instant--change courses for you when you least expect it. The point of this is to remind us all to live each and every day of our lives. Don't just go through the motions. Have the courage to change the course if you aren't happy. Do what you need to do to make the road you travel more enjoyable. Reflect on the small and simple things that bring joy: Watch a child walk-they DON'T- rather they hop, skip, jump, leap. They stop to look at a bird in the sky or a squirral skamper across the ground. They vear left, jump right, twist around the tree, hop over a crack...They find joy in the little things. They see things, hear things we often block out because we are in a hurry or too busy getting from point A to point B that we so often miss the journey. Don't take the day for granted. Enjoy the time you have to share with family and friends...

Life is a challenge. Some days the challenge is easier, some days more enjoyable-but it is what it is. Embrace it, turn the negatives into positives and enjoy the moments...