live fast//die young…or something close to. similar, or maybe not at all like that

All great men are gifted with intuition. 

They know, without reasoning or analysis, 

what they need to know. 

{Alexis Carrel}

A few weeks ago, I found myself in an interesting, new situation. It was an event that I knew was coming so, of course, I solicited feedback from my friends/mentor and sought wisdom about how to handle it. What was different about this circumstance from normal was that I had an array of opinions coming in. 

Think everything from: “Hell, no, Emily. Absolutely not. Do not do this.” all the way to “Girl, gooo for it. Have fun! It will be good for you.”

A little conflicting, wouldn’t you say? 

So the event came and I was slightly nervous simply because I wasn’t positive of what exactly the right thing to do was–which is something I’m still adjusting to, the whole not-knowing thing. [When you spend 25 years of your life living under the heavy weight of perceived  certainty…acknowledging the utter lack of control you have in most situations is daunting (and a constant practice–even years into doing so).] 

There I was, going against the advice of my best friend, and completely unsure of how things would turn out. When I showed up bigger and braver and bolder than anyone had advised me to, you know what?

…it was amazing. 

I had a moment where there was something that I wanted to do, a risk–even bigger than just showing up, and I felt my no-self and my yes-self preparing to duke it out. Before giving them a chance to hang each other, completely destroying my good time in the process, I took a deep breath and considered, 

“What’s the worst thing that could happen? I mean really.” Without getting lost in the pros and cons, I checked my gut. My intuition said, “You’re okay. It’s not that big of a deal. Go for it. You have little to lose and lots to gain.” So I did…and you know what?

…it was liberating & completely rewarding!

Later, when I recanted my story to my mentor she said, “Emily, that’s such a 70’s mentality you claimed in the moment. You were wholly in the present, you did what felt right and good to you, without taking any regrets. So 70’s.” And it was an applaud to stepping out of my used-to-be-fearful mindset. 

A “live fast, die young” mentality might not be the most savvy advice to offer, but there was something so powerful here that I just had to tell you!

There is much freedom in listening to your gut and trusting your own judgment.

I am not saying, “sex, drugs, & rock & roll all night” is the way to go, because I’m not. And it isn’t.

What I am saying is that, not over-thinking things, being willing to take risks, trusting that you know what’s best for you, living in the moment, without catapulting yourself into worry over the future…holy mother of liberation is the Present a good place to be!

Hear me: there is a line to just going balls-to-the-wall free with your life and doing whatever, anything and everything you feel like doing. That is reckless and will have consequences you probably won’t enjoy. 

But…remember the “live like you’re dying” slogan/song? Well, I have always hated it, mostly because I just don’t believe that it’s possible. If I was dying I would probably BE reckless and totally cool with it. So I think the song does a poor job of portraying an idea that I believe is super important.

We are not promised one breath.

{YES, being wise with your finances is important. YES, planning for your future is necessary…to an extent.}

People, I want you to know that today is an amazing gift and we are not guaranteed another. I am not being glib here. There are things that you have put off doing because you can, because you “don’t have time, energy, finances, or a ‘perfect’ plan now.”

And let me just tell you…you can keep waiting and putting things off for the rest of your life. 

{Or until you have that midlife crisis when you realize you’ve just been chasing air for so many years.}

Life doesn’t begin when you get things worked out–financially, mentally, logistically, emotionally. 

Life is now. 

Stop waiting for all of the answers to fall into place.

And above all else…trust yourself. Trust the universe. Trust your Father to take care of you. Sometimes I worry, “but what if I’m not listening well enough!? What if I hear wrong?“ The truth: God is bigger than your ability to hear. Listen. Be genuine in your desire to hear from God. And keep moving.

A wise friend always reminds me, “God will steer the boat, but you have to row.”

So go! Life is happening. Be happening with it!

________________________________

You have spoken, I am listening. There is a project in the works for more sex talks on this page. [We as a church need more dialogue around this topic.] I want to address specifically what you are pondering or talking about.

So…if you could have any question answered about a sex-related topic, what would it be? 

email me at emilylorinlifestyle@gmail.com

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