What I am talking about? One of the few things money can’t buy! That’s right! It doesn’t matter how much money we all have, whether we are FI or not. We already own the most valuable asset there is: LIFE!
No this is not a “downer” post! It is a friendly reminder (again!) that money is not the end goal, enjoying life IS and money is only a mean to help you achieve that goal.
You should never forget to enjoy life along your FI journey. It is a gift we can lose at any time, often without any warnings.
Life Is Fragile :
In the last few weeks I was reminded of how fragile life is:
Kat from CashflowKat posted this comment on “How Many Days Do You Have Left To Live”:
“My 49-year-old brother was just in a terrible auto accident and is in a coma in the ICU since this weekend. He’s a family doctor and has three kids. It seemed like he had so many days, and now it seems I may be able to count them on one hand. Sorry to be depressing here, but yes, make those days count the best you can.”
Steph over at Simplistic Steph also added a comment:
“This post hits home to me today! One of my coworkers passed away this weekend at a very young age. He was only 47!!!! So awful. It really makes you stop and realize how blessed we are.
It also is a great reminder how little money and things matter! His life was filled with love, and that’s what we all remember of him. We don’t remember his possessions.”
Just A Kid!
Then last week I found out that a young woman we knew when my kids were in high school was hit by a 19-year-old drunk driver and succumbed to her injuries 6 days later! She was 21!
“A 21-year-old University of Toronto student has been identified as the victim of a fatal downtown hit-and-run last week.
Police said the female victim … was attempting to cross the street on March 15 at the intersection of Huron and College streets when she was struck by a northbound vehicle that was travelling in the southbound lanes. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m.
After the collision, police said they believe alcohol may have been a factor in the deadly crash.”
You can read the full article : Victim of deadly downtown hit and run …
I can’t imagine what the parents must be going thru! How do you go on?
S**t Happens!
I know I repeat myself, but it does!
Anything can happen to any of us, to any of our loved ones at any time and the best we can do is make sure we take full advantage of our time with them while they (we) are alive. It doesn’t matter how much money we have, life is not something we can buy back.
Related post: How My Husband’s Depression Changed Our Lives Forever
Life Is The Most Valuable Asset We “Own”:
Make the time for your loved ones, focus on your values and don’t sacrifice your values for more money! Check out one of Amy’s posts about personal values and money.
Memories are such a wonderful thing to have
I don’t know why some of us need the reminder once in a while, human nature I guess. Sometimes, we get so busy in our day-to-day routines, we tend to forget to enjoy the journey, even temporarily.
So whatever you FI plan is, keep working at it but make the time for your loved ones and enjoy the journey along the way! Life is all about balance.
In Memory of Emma.
Needed THIS post today!!! <3 My condolences to all of those who have experienced the loss of life too soon.
Thanks for sharing Caroline.
You’re welcome Mrs DS. I may bore some people with my reminders but , having lived thru painful times, I think we tend to forget it can happen to any of us. Have a wonderful week-end:)
Always about the journey, not the destination Caroline. Tom
Yes it is:) Thanks Tom
Such a beautiful post. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our jobs and income, we don’t stop to appreciate how wonderful just being alive is.
My point exactly, we get wrapped up in our daily life and sometimes forget to appreciate what we have. thanks Stef.
Thanks for sharing this today. In the past I’ve definitely been one to count down the hours in a work-day or get wrapped up in wanting to reach some milestone that is constrained by time. It’s so important to value your time and enjoy the journey.
We all do it (or most of us). We need to remind ourselves once in a while to slow down and enjoy what we already have:) Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for the reminder. Nothing is more precious than life and our health to enjoy living it.
You’re welcome Jason:) Thanks for stopping by and have a great week-end!
Very true, very true. We need to remember this, and be grateful for what we have.
Maybe we should all put reminder in our phones, we do with everything else!
I so agree! Thanks for This reminder going into the weekend.
No problem, ENJOY the week-end!
I’m so sorry to hear that. RIP Emma. But yes - a few people I’ve known have suddenly passed away in the last few years and it really changes your perspective on how much we expect to have from life as a minimum.
It makes it more real when it happens to people around us, otherwise I think we do all have the same mentality “it only happens to others”. Have a great day Angela:)
The most valuable asset indeed. Thanks for the reminder, Caroline.
You’re welcome Amy. I loved your post on prioritizing and values:) But then I love most of your posts!
Ditto!!
And thanks for mentioning it! 🙂
You’re welcome:) I love your posts.
Very good reminder, Caroline. Life is precious, so is good health. It’s not something money could buy. As you mentioned, anything bad could happen, to anybody. While having it, we got to appreciate it.
Life is precious:) You seem to treat yours pretty good!
Thanks for the reminder Caroline
We should be greatful for what we have and enjoy the journey.
Yes we should but sometimes we just forget:)
No amount of money can buy or extend life and health. Thank you for the reminder to enjoy life and be grateful for what we have.
Even if some people try! I read a few articles about cryogenics lately and it’s scary. I may do a post on it actually.
This post strikes home when I think about those hockey kids (and coach) who lost their lives in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. And, yes, life is all about balance!
I know, it is so sad. No words:(
You are so right honestly! Sometimes we just need to take a moment and appreciate what we have: life! Thank you so much for this lovely reminder!
Life is short. Treat your loved one right.
A few of my coworkers passed away during my last 2 years at my old job. It’s a push for me to get out and spend more time with family.
Best wishes
Hi Joe,
I totally agree with you. Now is the best time for cherishing the moment.
WTK
A very thoughtful post here, Caroline!
I actually remind myself of that almost every single day. It’s to the point where my fiancé and family thinks I’m paranoid. But, it’s very true — life is fragile and we never know what will happen the next second.
Thank you for this post! <3