What lies ahead...

Really... what comes after life?

I suppose it's a rhetorical question since there is no definitive answer.  No one can go through it and experience it and then come back to tell us all about it.  I know everyone has their own beliefs, their own hopes and dreams for what lies in store for all of us.  Whether it's to go to some white, pearly gates where all your loved ones are waiting for you, or to be reincarnated as something/someone else.  The answer will always change, and that's fine,  we're all entitled to our own thoughts and dreams. 

As I said before, my grandma passed away, I guess a month or so ago now.  I think it was March 29th (eerily enough, my sister had a feeling that would be the day..) and then just last week a friend, if you could call her that.. I'd say more of an acquaintance since we really just went to school together and didn't talk much afterwards, was murdered.  It got me thinking...I don't know what I believe comes after this life.  It's something I don't want to find out anytime soon, I know that for sure.  I have so much going for me, surrounded by amazing people who inspire and educate me every day.  I know there is great things planned for me in my life and can't wait to experience them all. 

Death is inevitable, people are scared of it for obvious reasons.  I don't know if I would classify myself as being scared.  Yeah, it scares me, it hurts me in the sense that I'd be leaving everyone behind and there would be that hole that nothing can fill.  Just like I experienced with the passing of both my Grandma and Grandpa.  There's that void, the place where they always had, but is now filled with their memories. 

I have my good days and bad, sometimes I'm still in disbelief about my grandma passing away.  Some days it's difficult for me to just remember what he voice  sounded like.  The easiest way for me to remember her voice, and how she was, would be when I was playing soccer and she would be yelling at me from the sideline "SHOOOOOOOOT the ball!" in her not super thick,but still noticeable German accent.

Mom has some "psychic" friends.  I'm still on the fence as to whether I believe everything that comes out of their mouth.  Sometimes it's interesting because they state things that, for the most part, no one mentioned prior and they shouldn't have any knowledge about it.  But at the same time, you have to question how much of it to believe.  One of the ladies said that my grandpa is back with his family, his parents, on the farm where he grew up. 

So what is it? Is it just an endless dream?  Do we know that we've passed?  It would be nice to have answers, but at the same time, the idea of not knowing is intriguing too.  It allows us to believe whatever we want.  There  could be a mansion waiting for us with all of our friends and family.  It could be that beach house in paradise.  It could be whatever we make it, our wildest dreams.  Or, it could be nothing.

I suppose it's one of those questions that lines up with "Is there other life in our universe?" different speculations, different opinions, and something we may never have an answer for considering how large it is.

I retweeted something on twitter a couple days ago, it's something to follow, to live by.

"You only get ONE chance to enjoy today.  Get out there and make it count."

That really made me think.  I always tried to follow the "live today as if it were your last" type of mentality.. but sometimes I get stuck in the moment and just forget about how lucky I am.  I don't think I take full advantage of everything I have going for me.

Sure, I get in arguments with my friends and family.  But the bond we share is tougher than any argument can break.  We need to tell those close to us just what they mean to us.  Not be afraid to go to a friend and say "Hey man, thanks for being there for me through all the good and bad times and being someone I can count on, I really appreciate it."  or even just a simple "I love you" to your parents/siblings... the people who have helped mold you into the person you are today.  The sacrifices our parents have made in order to allow for us to have a better chance at reaching our goals.

I'm not saying you should live your life to the fullest and to do as much as you can every day... I mean, if that's the way you want to live and are able to do so, then good on ya.  All I'm saying is appreciate the finer things in life.  Reassure those close to you.  Enjoy the moment you're living in now.  If you're not happy with how things are, then change direction and start walking down a different path. 

This blog really kinda got side tracked and pretty much put two blogs into one it seems. 

Oh well!  I think it turned out good.

One last quote :

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

“Man.
Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”