Over the course of the past few weeks, it's no secret that death has been walking amongst us in a top hat and long black coat. It seems like every time you turn on the news or log onto Facebook, there is another tragedy being reported. Constant shootings provoked by the inequality in the world, or even young kids who were taken from their families far before intended without explanation as to why. So many people who were just living their normal day to day lives blind to the fact that it may be their last. All of the recent consecutive tragedies lately has definitely opened up my eyes to how precious life is and how every single day should be taken advantage of. These past events should be a PSA to everyone reminding you to make each day count.

We open our eyes in the morning and think about the dreadfully long day of school or work we have ahead of us knowing how miserable it will be. We have the same morning routine, eat the same lunch, and go about our day as we usually would counting down the minutes until the day ends. We do these things because we assume tomorrow is a given. We take life for granted everyday without even realizing it because we assume that tomorrow is coming. The future is unknown and you will never know when your last day on Earth may be. Which is why each day should be filled with something you can look back on be content with just incase it is your last.

Stop waiting. There's never a 'right time' for anything. You create your own destiny and waiting for a chance to fall into your lap will leave you waiting forever. Big or small, you have to do something every day that will get you that much closer to your goal. We’re all constantly waiting for something as if life is meant to be huge waiting game. Waiting for Friday, waiting to graduate waiting for Christmas morning, waiting for one person to like you back. Waiting is time wasted and time wasted is time you will never get back. Make everyday feel like a Friday and fill it with the joy you have on Christmas morning. Make the first move. Enjoy every second of being in school surrounded by friends before graduating. Bottom line: live in the present, for each day and thank god that he has given you that day. Don’t wait for tomorrow because tomorrow is never promised. Travel the world, appreciate all the beauty it has to offer. The worst thing you could do is look back and regret not cherishing the time you had with people you love or being able to live your dream when you had the chance. Life is no waiting game, trust the timing of your life.

Stop living in the past. One thing I’ve learned about life is that, it goes on. Life goes on whether we like it or not. As much as we would love to stop time, go back in time or even fast forward towards the future as our curiosity lingers in “what ifs” and “I wonder”, life is taken day by day. It's how you make the day’s matter that count. You'll never get yesterday back, so use tomorrow as a chance to be better. Do something everyday that scares you, do something everyday that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Take chances. Another valuable lesson I have learned. Never wondering “what if” because I promise there is more harm in wondering what could have been than there is in knowing the outcome of trying. Swallow your pride, you have nothing to lose. Life goes on. Whether we have regrets, or missed chances. Each day presents a new opportunity to be great, take it and run.

I would be lying if I said that the recent tragedies all happening one after another didn’t scare me, because they have. But I would also be lying if I said that they haven’t given me a new perspective and different outlook on each day, because they absolutely have. This is our wakeup call. Life can truly be taken from you within a moment at any given time. We tend to life for granted and waste the days that are gifted to us by letting little things get in the way of our happiness. Sure, life has its ups and downs of course; I’m not saying that everyday is going to be a good one. But in reality, our ‘bad’ days are only as bad as we make them. Dry your tears and move forward. You are in control of your own life and how you handle each day.

Take the time to say ‘I Love You’, hug your mom, dad, grandparents and best friend extra tight, and be thankful for everyday that’s given to you. Sometimes it takes something bad happening for you realize how precious life is. We think we have all the time in the world to say how we feel and do what we want and we take that for granted. There is no second chance at life, so do it right the first time and truly ‘live everyday as if its your last’.

Here's to making it count.