Two Cups of Tea at Hope’s Cafe
“Life is too short not to sparkle.” I came across that sentiment this week but wondered “What if one isn’t feeling particularly sparkly just at the moment?” I considered that the expression wasn’t “Life is too short not to sparkle constantly.” It was simply a reminder that we have that capacity and we can develop and utilize it to enhance our lives as well as those of others.
But there are plenty of other suggestions about which life is too short.
“Life is too short to just go through the motions,” said Phillip Rivers.
“Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious,” in the words of Phillips Brooks. Along similar lines, Charlotte Bronte wrote: “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.”
Bhakti Singh expanded on Brooks’ and Bronte’s thoughts: “Life is too short to give pain to others. I eat to the fullest, sleep well and make people laugh wholeheartedly.”
“Life is too short and too sweet to complain about the silly things,” adds Michael Chandler.
On a more reflective note, Mark Manson wrote “At some point we all must admit the inevitable: life is short, not all of our dreams can come true, so we should carefully pick and choose what we have the best shot at and then commit to it.” As Joshua Fields Milburn points out: “There’s no refund on time poorly spent.”
On a somber note, Ryan Holliday reminds us that “Eventually, all of us will pass away and slowly be forgotten. We should enjoy this brief time we have on earth—not be enslaved to emotions that make us miserable and dissatisfied.” We are admonished by Marcus Aurelius: “Life is short. Do not forget about the most important things in our life, living for other people and doing good for them.”
But this one particular quote I first skipped over thinking it was a bit frivolous. On further reflection, I considered there is wisdom encased in it: “Life is too short to miss out on the beautiful things like a double cheeseburger,” spoken by the actor Channing Tatum. Even the ordinary things, the simple pleasures in life, are beautiful, to be noticed, appreciated. As the singer Glen Campbell said: “Life is too short not to enjoy it.”
So, my friends, what about you? How would you complete the sentence “Life is too short……”?
The invitation is open to share two cups of tea anytime at Hope’s Café or anywhere you share companionship and conversation.
May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” at Hope’s Café, for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate
Hope's Cafe 
Life is too short not to try to spend some of it making other peoples’ lives better.
thanks for an excellent commentary, Kathleen.
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Especially satisfying food for thought today at the Cafe!
I particularly like your pointing out toward the beginning of your serving, that while we always have the capacity to “sparkle” we do not always do so. That feels comforting to me when times are tough. It conveys the idea that while we may always have the potential to fine joy in life, there are some circumstances (loss, grief) that are so overwhelmingly painful, we simply do not possess the capacity to discover the joy that is in fact present around us. So why not try to develop the skill to do better at realizing joy even when circumstances are less than ideal?
Thanks very much, Kate, for sharing that idea I hope to hold onto for future use.
Pat Lavin
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