Time for a Change

Tonight I had the great opportunity to go to a benefit concert for Paul Cardall, a local musician who is in dire need of a heart transplant. He has congenital heart disease, and his heart failed last August. Over his lifetime, Paul has had 28 surgeries, including 7 open heart surgeries, and has miraculously survived to get married and have a beautiful daughter, Eden, whom the concert was named after. All proceeds went to Paul and his family, which was a total of $40, 500 just from ticket sales! Among the local artists who played was my favorite, Peter Breinholt, as well as Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Kurt Bestor, and Colors. Each act was dedicated to Paul in love and hope.

Besides gaining a whole list of new records to buy, I gained a new appreciation for life. I realized how so many people, myself included, watch life pass them by without a second thought. Life isn't something to be whittled away on living for the future, we have to live for the now to prepare for the future. No one can say when this life will end or what it will bring, but we have to make sure we are living the best we can making as many memories as possible, in the here and now, so we are not caught off guard when trials and tribulations come.

My sister has a roommate who can never see anything good from her past because she has always looked towards the future. Currently, her life's motto is: Everything will be good when I move back home. She doesn't move home for almost a month, but yet that is what she is looking forward to. Think how much she will miss in the next month because she is planning weeks ahead!

This is my renewed vow, for all of you who follow this blog to witness: I will not live for the future, I will live for now and prepare for the future.

I'm not meaning to say goals and aspirations are detrimental and we should never look toward the future...it holds so many great things in store for us! But each successful goal starts with baby steps right now, which turn into great strides later.

All in all, I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to attend such an uplifting and inspiring concert. Paul's story is one I will not soon forget, and I hope you won't either as you find inspiration from his story. Check it out at http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/