Good morning!

Here’s a question to consider… what if everything changed tomorrow for you?

I’ve had a few of those ‘tomorrows’ in my life - and last week marked six years since one of them.

Back then life was full. There was a lot going on inside both inside our home and in the world around us.

Kids were young and active and destroying our house daily.

Work was full and demanding.

The world was a mess of disfunction and discouragement.

Overall, time felt like it was moving fast and we were in survival mode. And it all felt urgent and important. It sounds a lot like how things are right now in our world.

Then the call came that September morning…

Everything that had been urgent and important before changed immediately. And I know I’m not alone in that experience because this happens to people every day. One moment everything is fine and life is moving along… the next moment things are different.

The proof? Just in my own life the following things have happened in the last seven days…

• A loved one in their 40s had a stroke with uncertain recovery diagnosis
• Extended family member told hospice is imminent
• Extended family member breathed their last breath

It was an unusually heavy week, but whether we like it or not, these kinds of tomorrows are inevitably going to find us. (Hopefully not in droves like this last week for me.) We will all experience these brutal “day everything changes” days. Which is not fun, but is honest and important to acknowledge.

So...

Here’s what I’ve found about the ‘day everything changes’ that is universally true for all of us…

• It comes unexpectedly.
• It is out of our control.
• It is going to be difficult.

Which brings another big question… “So, what are we supposed to do knowing that things could get bad any day?”

It might seem like I’m painting this situation in a negative light. Like we should be walking on eggshells, dreading the bad news that is going to come.

But it’s actually the opposite.

This is an invitation to live - to lean into the things that are good or could be good - while we have the opportunity.

(Before I share some thoughts on what to do before one of those days comes, if you’re in the midst of it right now and everything has changed, please reply back. I’d love to encourage you as you walk through the challenge of that kind of season.)

AN OPPORTUNITY BEFORE THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGES

When I got that call six years ago, I was very fortunate. It flipped my world and it was difficult to deal with, but when it came to my Dad - we were good! There was nothing left unsaid or that needed resolution. We had unknowingly been preparing for that day for years. And let me tell you from personal experience, the freedom that comes from being prepared before that day comes is unmatched. It didn’t make me less sad that my Dad was hurting and ultimately going to pass away, but I was filled with gratitude for where our relationship was at.

Life is full of seasons, each with its own nuance - so I don’t assume to think I know everything about your season of life. Regardless of your exact season of life, here’s some encouragement around an opportunity you have before everything changes.

Each of these requires you to pause for a moment and think ahead. It requires you putting yourself in the position as if everything had already changed. When everything changes we start playing back the tape of things we could have done different… this is your chance to reflect and prepare in advance.

• The Call Before The Call - Who is one person you wish you would have called before you got the call that something had happened in their life? Make that call to today.
• The Last Words - What are the last words you want to have said to some of your most important people in your life? The lasting words you want to stand out above everything else. Maybe it’s your spouse or your kids or your parents - regardless of the challenges you might be facing in those relationships currently. Find a way to say or send those words to them today, and then do it again the next day.
• The Level Up What’s one thing you’ve been thinking about changing (or dragging your feet on) that would level up your life - positively impact you and the lives of those around you? Today is a great day to start.

These are simple and actionable. You could literally do them right now.

My encouragement would be to pick one and go for it. If tomorrow was the day everything changes, you’ll be glad you did.

And - any of those choices would undoubtedly be a Worthy Win!

Rooting for you!

JO

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