The value at which we hold our lives to isn't something we think about on a day to day basis. We aren't driving in our car to the way to work or school thinking, 'Wow, my life is such a beautiful gift.' It isn't until theres an awakening, or a disturbance in our life that really shows us how valuable our lives really are, and how short the time we have on earth really is. But why does it have to be like that? It's important to always cherish every moment that passes, for the good or bad, and to make something out of it.

Over the holidays, I wasn't feeling like myself. I stopped doing some of the things I liked to do, and I didn't feel like talking to anyone around me. On Christmas Eve during our traditional service, I felt faint and had to sit down outside to fan myself. I decided to go to the doctor the following Monday, and although everything checked out, he noticed an abnormality on my EKG. He informed me I had a Right Incomplete Bundle Branch Block, which Mayo Clinic describes as "a delay or obstruction along the pathway that electrical impulses travel to make your heart beat." I lost my breath. Although he said that there wasn't anything to worry about and to get it checked out by a cardiologist, I couldn't help but thinking if this was a fatal situation or not. He assured me that it wasn't, and I tried to believe him. However, as soon as I got home after making my cardiologist appointment, I decided to research it. Basically, the condition itself wasn't serious, but it could mean an underlying heart condition, and also poses a threat if you have a heart attack as you age, it could potentially be fatal.

As I processed the news, my first thought is, what is my legacy if I were to die tomorrow? How would people remember me? Would people remember me for my quirky, humorous attitude? Would people remember my achievements within my collegiate career, or the times I went out of my way for the people I love? Although I'm only twenty one years old, I'm about a quarter way through my lifespan. Who knows, potentially more than that. It's not something I considered on a day to day basis, but it's things like this that really put my life into perspective.

So with that, my challenge to myself and to whoever's reading this is to live in the now. Treat every day like it's your last. Wake up every morning with a purpose, a goal, a mindset to not only be the best, but feel and do great. Always consider how you want people to remember you as well. Don't be the passerby that people knew, but did not admire. Give vibes of excellence, in yourself and whatever you were put on this earth to do.