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Thursday
Jul022009

big life

Lately, with all the untimely deaths in the news, I've been feeling really aware of how fast everything goes by. It makes me sad. But it also makes me want to live boldly. To be brave and take more risks. To say the hard things, especially when it's to myself. To peacefully coexist with my imperfections, but also not become complacent about things I know I can change. Most of all, it makes me want to spend my time on what really matters the most. I found this a few days ago, and it's been with me ever since. It's by Dane Sanders, and it's called "Why Settle For A Little Life?" I hope you'll check it out, and please share with us today what inspires you to live a bigger life?   

Reader Comments (14)

wow maile...i can't even express how much that seeing that video today is truly perfect timing. truly exactly what i need to hear right here, right now. so much thanks.
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered Commentervivienne
the Nichiren Daishonin buddism inspires me everyday to live a life like that, using my deep dreams to realize my life!
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/04/cercando-speranza.html
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterkosenrufu mama
Thank you, Maile. "Everything you need is already inside you." I'm going to carry this with me.
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMariaV
My friend Lynn inspires me to live a bigger life:
http://wanderlynn.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/artists-by-dani/
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDani
my husband and my children are definitely my biggest inspirations to believe...to live...to do more than lie in bed all day (except of course when that in itself is inspiring as some days it is!)
here is my daughter a couple of days ago letting me photograph her in the early morning sun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/3671502459/
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered Commentersummer
Truly inspiring! Thank you.
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJoanna
that was amazing! I needed it today. :)
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBridge
I ::heart:: Dane Sanders. He is so inspiring, just by pushing us to be ourselves. =)

I'm typically a joyful person. That's just how I roll. But I know there can be even more joy in my life and I can spread it to others if I just push myself to live it. It's so easy to just sit there and let things go by sometimes. I think what pushes me is the desire to show the ones I love that YES, you can live your life to the fullest and be content.
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKaryn
Yes!!! The recent deaths in the news have touched me also. Boldness has been my theme for the year and I have been living boldly. Making decisions that may seem risky or scary, but my goodness, what has resulted has been wonderful.

This picture made me think of the sword my brother gave me a few years ago for my birthday...I must pull it out and get to photographing!
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLu
I'm still adjusting to this new life as a mother (my son will be 17 months old tomorrow) and trying to figure out what this Bigger, Bolder, Better Life should mean for me-- doing things for myself? Sitting down and enjoying my son in these oh-so-fleeting early days of his own life? What's the right balance of pushing yourself to do more, and allowing yourself to just be and enjoy the here and now? Ah, so may questions... thanks for raising them for me today.
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMarcy
i’m an associate of mary anne radmacher, the author of a larger piece of writing called “live boldly” and thought you might like to check it out further. i know mary anne is so happy when people find inspiration from her words in the context of their daily lives. for this piece and more work from mary anne’s hand visit her website maryanneradmacher.com. mary anne has written several books and shares her work in many forms including conferences and classes. If you’d like more information feel free to e-mail me at jessicaformaryanneradmacher@gmail.com. thanks!
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjessica
I turn 29 next week, and while it shouldn't be a big deal, I feel like it is. And I know anyone, or mostly anyone, who has ever turned 29 has felt like this a little bit. It's the what-did-I-do-with-my-20's feeling. As I reflect back on what I actually did with my 20's through my blog and other means, I realize didn't live such a 'little' life, even if I feel I have. Living your Big Life cannot be compared to anyone else's lives. More often than not, they may comparing their own life against yours. So, for now, I keep moving along, trying to make my life a little bit bigger in its own way, and hope that I am doing the best I can. Inch, by inch, goals will be reached.
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMisti
Wonderful post...last month we decided to go to Hawaii and with very little time to plan, we did.

We took the long way there, via Orlando, FL, Las Vegas, NV and Portland, OR.
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/06/and-finally-aloha/

It has been a wonderful, wonderful time...so glad we did it. And are still doing it.
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/07/morning-in-waikiki/
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/07/evening-in-waikiki/

You are so right. Grab life and live it!
July 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPuna
Wow! That video almost gave me goosebumps. I agree with Dane, that it's important for us to realize the greatness within and to just go for it!
July 4, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine Hall

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