Living Hard

So, I consciously decided the other day that I was going to stop wasting time and my life, and start to “live hard”…

“if you are going to live hard, then you are going to get hurt hard sometimes. But in the end, it’s so worth it to have lived hard.”- Carlos Whitaker

But then, I stopped and thought, “What is living hard?”

I immediately thought about traveling, going around the world, eating great food, but I think you can do all of those without “living hard” and I don’t think you need to do those in order to live hard. 

It’s what you choose to do on a day to day basis, and who you choose to do them with. Building solid, genuine relationship’s pouring myself into people. Both old friends and family, while finding new friends and family. Living with a purpose, a meaning, living with intention.

Using every moment of my day so that I can be aware of the spirits leading, meeting new people, seeking out amazing conversations, and yes then enjoying and experiencing life with them both ups and downs (hopefully more ups). While eating, drinking, and maybe even some traveling.

I want to laugh with, cry with, and laugh so hard I cry with these people.

So then what is living hard? Living hard is giving, loving, crying, listening, laughing, experiencing life with others. Exchanging dreams, stories, passions, ideas, and opinions… Creating moments where we feel comfortable opening up being real, raw, and vulnerable.

This is why I love the apostles, this is why I’m a follower of Jesus because JESUS CALLS US TO LIVE HARD WHILE LIVING IN COMMUNITY!

Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Paul, there is no question, no doubt he gave his all, he lived more in a month than many of us will in a lifetime. He would stay up til the wee hours of the morning talking and discussing, he did not shy away from conflict or confrontation, he suffered with, and rejoiced with, and prayed with, and cried with, all while sharing and creating stories with others, inviting new people in to be a part of their story… Paul modeled his life after Christ.

This is the life I want to lead, this is how I want to live hard. I want to get to the end of my life, like Paul, and be able to say with a peace of mind, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”