Live life for today

Right now, more than ever before in my life time, it’s important that we remember to live life for today. In my latest journal, I explore the art of memento mori and why it’s so important to me.

Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that means, ‘remember you must die’ and it does seem quite morbid, but it can help you with your mental health and wellbeing. If you thought you would die tomorrow: –

• What would you do differently?
• Would you love anyone differently?
• Who would you forgive?
• What or who would you be grateful for?

These are important questions and in my case, I’ve learned the value of not limiting my life any further than I have to.

It’s important to live life for today

At one time, my anxiety and negative outlook on life caused me to miss out on life. I was closing myself off to family, friends and the outside world as I felt safer alone. As this went on, I increased my anxiety and my mental health and wellbeing suffered.

I was giving up on life. I stopped going out with my camera and exploring beautiful places. When I did get the urge to get out there and be creative, I got feelings of impending doom, so I stayed in and my anxiety worsened. I was depressed and I was sinking further into my very own abyss.

Looking back though on this period of my life, I realise what I’ve got to lose if I was struck down by COVID-19. Thankfully, although I’m frightened of catching this awful disease, I’m not allowing the fear to control my life.

The Coronavirus pandemic is taking too many lives across the world and it is generating fear. We need balance in order to maintain a positive outlook on life.

It’s all about balance

I see so many people struggling with these rules and the fear that it’s generating, is in abundance. At times, I also struggle with it all.

I’ve been mocked and accused of being paranoid over trying to keep me and mine safe. Of course I’m scared of catching it, but I’m not flouting the rules or taking unnecessary chances.

Doing things that we want to do, but not waiting till a better time due to impatience is taking unnecessary chances and if this sparks something in you right now, please consider how many innocent people you’re putting at risk.

If your mental health is at stake, then you do what you need to do for your own sanity, but safely. A sense of balance is required here.

All we can do right now is follow the rules and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

We have to consider making sacrifices by spending time apart and believe in the progress of vaccinations and good health care. We can thrive on the feelings of hope if we allow our hearts to believe in it.

Gratitude

Let’s go back centuries ago to the days of the plague.

Right now, we have so much more than those poor people had back then. I can only imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t have modern technology that allowed video communication. How many of us take this for granted?

How many of us take for granted having a roof over our head or having reliable transport to get from A to B?

Have you been taking your health and the health service for granted, but now can see how much we need it?

The more time I spend in lockdown, the more I realise that my own happiness and self-worth is what’s valuable to me.

Many of us are realising that money and wealth isn’t important.

You can’t go out freely and spend your money as the business’s have closed either due to lockdown or they’ve gone bankrupt. Many of us are in the process of losing our incomes and some have lost it already.

Times are hard, but it makes me realise that money isn’t the root of happiness. It’s our self-worth, it’s our loved ones, it’s giving and receiving LOVE that matters!

This brings me back to another message of these Memento Mori symbols, which is, we are all the same in death, no matter what our status is in life. Money doesn’t matter at all in the face of death!

Live life for today with my help

Being creative is an important factor in managing your mental health and wellbeing, hence why I love being creative with my graveyard photography.

I love to photograph headstones that feature memento mori art and I also appreciate the importance of the message those stoneworkers and loved ones, wanted to convey.

They have stood the test of time and here I am today, realising just how important it is to live a fulling life. Being happy means so much to me now and adopting a self-care routine does wonders for my inner-strength.

Gemstones and Healing is my very own business that provides mental health and wellbeing services. If you would like to work with me as your mentor, please take a look at my various services and see how I can help you.

The benefits of being creative

Being creative significantly improves your mental health and wellbeing.

When I’m out with my camera or I’m editing my photographs, I’m 100% absorbed in what I’m doing. My mind isn’t off worrying about the stupid argument that I had yesterday, and it’s not in the future worrying that I might catch COVID. I’m bloody well happy and I’m loving it!

Be present at all times!

I’M 100% IN THE PRESENT MOMENT DOING SOMETHING THAT I ENJOY!

Think about it!

That game that you spend hours playing on takes you away from it all doesn’t it?

That creative project or book that you’re engrossed in, takes you away from from the constant worry and you feel calm and relaxed.

Being in the present moment and using your senses is far better than being elsewhere and it makes you happy.

When I’m not feeling creative, I love to take myself on a walk and pay attention to the things that I don’t normally see. This is known as mindful walking and it will help you appreciate the beauty of life.

All you need to do is listen to the sounds that you don’t normally hear. Smell the scents that you don’t normally smell and pay attention to the surroundings as you walk. Isn’t it time that you lived life for today?

If you would like to purchase an image, please get in touch.

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