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Whew! The last coupe of weeks have been challenging 2 say the least. I caught that nasty flu that's been going around here in LA. Knocked me out for a little over a week. I flew to SC 2 visit my parents...by this time i'd been feeling a little better...not fully recovered, but well enough 2 fly. It's like my body just started breaking down and going home to see Mom and Dad was the perfect remedy!!!! Mentally I was tired as well as physically. I'd had so much on my mind, I was stressing....starting 2 feel a little overwhelmed by life. So much I want 2 accomplish...what's the meaning of all of this any ways....ya know what i mean? I started feeling a bit unfulfilled.....

An interesting story unfolded on my flight 2 SC. Here goes: I'm entering the plane, walking down the aisle hoping 2 have a window seat. Found my assigned seat...aaahhh yes, window, perfect. I move pass the person sitting in the aisle seat next 2 me...as soon as I got situated, I noticed he was getting up and another man was approaching my section. Well, these two gentlemen were exchanging cuz the previous guy wanted 2 sit next 2 his girlfriend and the man taking his place was kind enough to make the exchange. An older man sat down and greeted me with a warm hello. I was actually very tired, I didn't get much sleep the night before and my plan was 2 sleep all the way 2 Salt Lake City...which is where I was 2 catch a connecting flight. Anywhoo...Myself and the older gentleman started talking. What started out as a simple casual conversation that I was expecting 2 be brief turned out 2 be a conversation I so needed. I cant remember how it all started actually but the stranger shared with me that he moved he and his wife 2 LA 2 spend time with his sister who was dying of cancer. He shared with me that he and his wife were preparing 2 move 2 Montana....They were both retiring. He is 62 both his children had graduated from college and he was ready to prepare a beautiful space 4 he and his wife in their later years. This kind man introduced himself as Mike Duck. Mike and I started talking about life and I shared with him that I was feeling uncertain about lots of things...unfufilled. Ya know, sometimes it's easier 2 talk openly 2 strangers. Mike asked me what was I feeling insecure about in my life and what kind of plan did I have 2 get me out of what he called a "spiral". I shared with him that I was having a difficult time creating a plan and that I was feeling dissatisfied with the way my life is currently. Mike and I had an amazing conversation and he shared with me that when he was my age, he was married with 2 kids and felt the exact same way. He shared some things I'd already knew but needed 2 hear again. He said it was clear that I was not living in the moment and that thinking about our past and worrying about our future causes us uncertainty. He suggested that I create a financial plan 4 myself starting backwards. He suggested I pick an age and put a dollar amount on that age and calculate how much money I'd have 2 save every month 2 reach that goal. He said it's clear a lot of young people aren't thinking about the kind of life they'd like 2 have in their older years and he wishes some one had shared this with him. He also suggested that I do what he called a  "gratitude audit" basically write down all the things I'm grateful for....my health my family, their health, i have shelter and a warm bed, etc...Mike said sometimes we 4get 2 be thankful 4 what we have cuz were 2 busy beating ourselves up and thinking about what we dont have...thinking in lack and not abundance. Yes, I know that....but Mike Duck was here 2 remind me....He shared with me stories of his only sister and how strong she was. He said that she'd gone thru kemo atleast 4 times and her body just couldn't take it anymore, she just couldn't take anymore....he said his sister was a woman so full of life and she lived it 2 the fullest! Mike couldn't stop stressing 2 me the importance of living in the NOW! Being present! Have a plan in life and dont be afraid 2 take risks....by the time the flight was about 2 land in Salt Lake City...Mike showed me a picture of his daughter, his son, his wife MaryAnne and a laminated picture of his sister....The words on his sisters picture read "THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IT" Mike told me those were the words on her tombstone. I asked him were those words that she chose and he said yes. I was silent 4 atleast a minute as those words repeated over in my head....my eyes began to fill with tears....I looked at Mike and I thanked him 4 sharing with me and I told him I believe there's always an Angel somewhere and he was mine on that flight. I'd been feeling so heavy prior....I was caught up in the past and worrying about the future...I suppose that's one of the reasons my body broke down. I'm typically a very positive person but I'd been hard on myself for the last month or so. Moving on the outside yet feeling unfulfilled on the inside...stressing about everything. I told Mike that I would email him and share with him my "gratitude audit" and he asked that I keep in touch...he said that he felt a lot of great things were gonna open up 4 me this year...I know that 2 be true. I started on my plan 4 my older years and I emailed Mike Duck 2day like I'd promised I would. You never know where or how ur questions are going 2 be answered....u have 2 stay open....Mike Duck was ment 2 sit next 2 me...I'm so thankful that I didn't shut him out and go 2 sleep like I had planned....He was a blessing! THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IT! Sometimes we need 2 be reminded that our minds can be very decieving and our reality is made up. Nothing means anything except the meaning we give it. Be in the moment, have a plan, take risk, be spontaneous, be grateful, stay open and LIVE! It all works out! GOD Bless Mike Duck!