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Traveling south, I encountered a funeral procession heading north. Our local “greatest hits” FM station was playing on my car radio. Ironically, the song playing on the radio was Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life.” Reality interfaced with entertainment. 

Its My Life

As the lengthy procession passed by I wondered if the deceased had ever said, or sung, ”It’s my life! I just want to live while I’m alive.”  How long had they lived? Was their death sudden? Were they happy with their life? Did they accomplish their goals? Were they a person of religious faith? Did they think their life mattered?

Jon Bon Jovi, reflecting on the broad appeal of his song said, “When I was writing ‘It’s My Life’, I thought I was writing very self-indulgently about my own life and where I was in it. I didn’t realize that the phrase ‘It’s My Life’ would be taken as being about everyone – teenagers, older guys, mechanics, whoever. “It’s my life, and I’m taking control. Everyone kind of feels that way from time to time.” The song struck a chord and soared to #1 worldwide in 2000.

Talk about tapping into the collective conscious.

Living Is The Trick

Red Smith, the late NY Times sports columnist wrote, “Dying is no big deal. The least of us will manage that. Living is the trick.”

So how are you doing with that?

January is such a timely month to think about living. Are you happy with your life? Do you know that you matter? What are your hopes and dreams for 2019?

What better time than today to make a change.

3 Choices For Change

1. You can’t choose where you came from but you can choose where you go from here. Envision new beginnings or start overs. Shed the disappointments of yesterday and schedule purposeful appointments for your success in the coming year.

2. Set aside time to meet with God. Daily. Don’t lean solely on your own understanding. Determine in all your ways to acknowledge God. Trust God to direct your steps.

3. To borrow from Jon Bon, “Each one of you has something no one else has, or has ever had: your fingerprints, your brain, your heart. Be an individual. Be unique. Stand out. Make noise. Make someone notice. That’s the power of individuals.”

Writing is a craft that I will amplify this year. I will make 2019 a year to stand out, make noise and leave my fingerprints on life changes for readers wherever God and the digital world take my words.

No reserves, retreats or regrets.

Take a lesson from Jon Bon. It’s your life. Make it a hit.

Let us know in which city or town you are reading this post. Post at the bottom. Please share this post on your social media platforms. I would be honoured. Thank you.

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Bob Jones

Happily married to Jocelyn for 44 years. We have two adult sons, Cory and his wife Lynsey and their son Vincent and daughter Jayda; Jean Marc and his wife Angie and their three daughters, Quinn, Lena and Annora. I love inspiring people through communicating, blogging, and coaching. I enjoy writing, running, and reading. I'm a fan of the Double E, Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox and Pats. Follow me on Twitter @bobjones49ers

5 Comments

  • Kayla says:

    St. Albert!

  • Brian Glover says:

    Brian Glover Edmonton at the UofA hospital awaiting Gamma Knife treatments. January 7/2019 1:31pm. Thanks for your prayers and thank you God for being here with me and filling me with Your peace.

  • Brian R Glover says:

    Brian Glover Edmonton at the UofA hospital awaiting Gamma Knife treatments. January 7/2019 1:31pm. Thanks for your prayers and thank you God for being here with me and filling me with Your peace.

  • Cameron Treloar says:

    Excellent post

  • Julie MacKenzie says:

    A great read Pastor Bob. I love that song. It came out when I was going through a significant change in my life. It’s amazing how music can remind you of certain times & circumstances. Thank you for sharing this blog. I am an Edmontonian…born & raised here.

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