How many times do we find ourselves saying, "life sucks," or "I hate my life" without really thinking about the severity of those statements? Trust me, I will be the first to say that I have had my share in saying these things, because there are bad days and there are times when it really feels like everything is going wrong. Some days I just want to lay in bed, watch "The Office," and forget everything that happened that day, but there is a problem with that ... a problem that we don't even recognize is a problem because we are so used to being alive. Here is the problem: life is fantastically fascinating, but we become so familiar with it that we wish it away and let it slip through our fingers. Life is so precious. It's filled with such sweet moments, moments that make even the poorest rich, moments that take our breath away, moments of healing and reconciliation, moments of passion, moments of adventure. Of course, as humans, we know that there are also moments of heartache, moments of tragedy, moments of anger and disappointment, moments of grief and mourning, moments of complacency. In all of these moments, whether good or bad, we are still so privileged to live a life of purpose and excitement and wonder. And in all of this, God is due so so much credit. He has given us such an opportunity to live a life full of love, joy, excitement, challenge, and purpose, and there is no one I know who feels this more than my friends Carly and Micah.

"Fear is Satan's strongest weapon. Help me to fear not, but trust in you during my trials. Be with me all day, every day and through every decision I make."

This is a prayer that Carly wrote in her journal a week before she and her boyfriend, Micah, got in a wreck. This wreck was scary — it's one of those that you look at and immediately see that the Hand of God was protecting them. The car was totaled, and injuries were not nearly as serious as they should have been. All of our praise is due to God for the way He protects us and loves us, and Carly and Micah have praised indeed. After talking to Carly and Micah about this incident, I see such a raw appreciation for precious life...appreciation for the opportunity to breathe another breath, to live another day, to love even deeper than before, to fulfill purpose in their days of life. Carly and Micah are an example of how precious life is, and sure, we all haven't experienced something this shocking that has drastically changed our perspective rightfully, but we shouldn't wait for that to happen to live life whimsically.

One of my dear friends once told me to live life with fascination for every new day, to see opening the door for someone as an opportunity not an obligation, to live every day in a way that doesn't cause you to regret it. We so often find ourselves familiar with the ins and outs of life that we miss the wonder and the whimsy of it all. Friends, I am begging you to do whatever it takes to become as fascinated with life as you were as a child. Look at light as if it shines brighter than you ever imagined possible, laugh at silliness, play with your friends, and love people regardless of what they look like. Don't waste away your days. Live out your passion, and if you don't know what that is, find it. As I wrap up this heartfelt article, please know that I am striving to do the same every day and I am more than willing to help you along the way. I will leave you with this thought: live life whimsically. Do what you're passionate about. Whatever gets you going, do that and be freakin' excited about life.

-Shalom