YOLO: “You Only Live Once”…….so “Live Free”

In today’s generation, we constantly hear the term “YOLO” which means “you only live once.” People utter this word for two different reasons: (1) when one is about to do something reckless that he might end up regretting (i.e. getting wasted, using/trying illegal drugs) or (2) when a person is about to do something amazing for once in his life (i.e. skydiving, bungee jumping). What it means depends on YOU. To be honest, I’ve used it for both reasons but I finally realized what it really means to me. The photo above is a picture of my tattoo (just stating the obvious lol). I’ve had it done three years ago. It meant different back then. “Live Free.” I felt so restricted to do the things I wanted to do (most of them were those reckless deeds I was telling you about). I wanted to be able to do whatever I wanted to do without thinking about the consequences and without people telling me what’s right from wrong. Now, these words mean totally different. Just recently, three people I know died from their sleep. They went to bed and just never woke up. They are as young and as healthy as some people in their early 20s.That’s when it hit me. It’s not about either reasons I stated above. For me, YOLO means living free from what if’s and should’ves, free from any regrets in life. I am starting to take life as it is and accept everything that comes with it, the good and the bad. We have done things in the past, mistakes and experiences that we wish to change. But we all know that there is no time machine to go back in time and change what’s done and go to the future and see what’s ahead. All we have is TODAY, the present. All we have is NOW. Why spend today hating on someone? Why spend today hating on yourself and the things you’ve done? Why waste the day thinking about what you could’ve done or planning out what you’re going to do next month? Why spend and waste it regretting about the past and worrying about the future when we have the present time to create precious memories with the people we love? I am still learning: to let go of the past, to stop worrying about the future, and just living in the moment (so cliche, I know). Today, say your I love You’s, your sorry’s, and end the day without regrets, because we don’t know if today is our last. xo