My career has taken me to many wonderful places and today I am lucky to be going to, of all places, Monte Carlo. This is a very special trip because I am going with my daughter, who is in remission from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. When she was diagnosed, we made a pact to make sure we did not just talk about what we wanted to do, but that we would do it.

Over the years I have heard many people discuss their hopes and dreams. They have ranged from healing relationships with loved ones to climbing Mount Everest. At first, I would simply accept their excuses as to why they couldn’t do what they wanted to do. We all do it, don’t we? It’s so much easier to find reasons not to fully engage in life’s possibilities than to jump in and test the waters.

I realize that there are considerations and certain times of life that require extreme responsibility. But that being said, I believe that two of the reasons we don’t execute some of our dreams are that we’re afraid or that we delude ourselves into thinking we have more time than we do. It seems that nothing cancels out that thought as quickly as being told that you have an illness that could reduce your years on the planet. Suddenly all the excuses go on the back burner and living life to the fullest becomes most important.

I think getting older has somewhat the same effect if you have the strength to think about it. I feel somewhat possessed to do all I can to be with those I love and to have as much fun as possible. I hope that as you read this you might reflect on what it is you yearn to do or say and not waste any more time just thinking about it. Thinking can help to begin the process of ‘‘doing.’’

But we need action to make things happen. Call someone today that you may have problems with or need to forgive. Visit a travel agent and begin planning that trip you’ve always wanted to take. Take care of your health. Increase your ability to be happy. Say ‘‘yes’’ to life every day.

My mother’s favorite saying was: ‘‘You never know.’’ I could never figure out why she said that so often. But now I know. I hope you do, too.

By LORETTA LaROCHE
For The Patriot Ledger