Today is a beautiful day — aren’t they all? Today is the day we have, there is no telling what it will bring, and quite a while back I decided that my job is to live it and love it! There are always lessons and examples in life that remind me, often quite beautifully, of the message to live in the moment.

But what about those rough and sometimes devastating moments that come out of nowhere? There are undeniably times of life that are ‘survived’ and seem better left behind as quickly as possible. We have our own ways of dealing – some of us survive, some triumph and others suffer extended setbacks. Respecting, but leaving aside for now, the philosophy of extracting good from struggle, what gets those of us who do survive and thrive through the shocks and hurts of life? What can we learn from each other’s experience?

Recently I’ve witnessed a beautiful example of strength, faith, perseverance and personal victory over one of life’s ‘earthquakes’. I’m blessed to have a sister and best friend, Julie, who has been with me through my own life journeys – ‘good’ and ‘bad’. I haven’t often had the opportunity to support her because she always has it so together! Annoying, right?!

This strong, beautiful, accomplished and kind younger sister of mine has just reached the great milestone of 55 and Change; emphasis on the Change! If there is change to be had, this is the age and stage to have it! Bring it on.

The details, while important, don’t need to be laid out here. Suffice it to say that Julie’s life unexpectedly, in a flash, veered off the course she was accustomed to – and onto, what we now can see, is a bright, new and exciting path. She is alive and well, and Changed.

So, back to the question of what to do about the moments and days that we’d rather not spend too much time living in? Here’s what I’ve learned from my sister and others who shine their light on life –

We don’t run or retreat – we do keep moving
We are sometimes afraid – we find our courage
We may cry – those tears clear the way for the future
We learn from the past – we don’t look back

Julie has adopted a great mantra that we love, which sums it all up – Eyes Forward!  It’s an honor to see her walk, #eyes_ forward, into this beautiful, shiny day!