Life is short. When we lose someone we love, we are reminded how much we may be taking for granted our life experience. One year ago today, my cousin, Rosanne, died of a terminal illness. She didn't have much time when she realized she was dying but in that very short year she had, she made the most of it. She took out her bucket list. You know the one that contains all the things we have always wanted to experience but put off for a myriad reasons: time, money, the kids come first, my family wouldn't approve, "I can't" and the list goes on. Well, she took out her list and began taking charge of her life. She decided she wasn't going to let fear or doubt or disapproval, determine her short time left on earth. She did some amazing things: like travel half-way across the world to be with John of God in Brazil, made new friends, wore designer shoes that she had been "saving for a special occasion" around her apartment, spent time with the people she loved, finally bought that bedroom set she had been putting off for the last twenty years and told everyone she knew how much she loved them... Rosanne inspired me to do the same. After all, we are here for a short time; it is up to us to make the most of it. Why sweat the small stuff when we could be opening our hearts to what we love and not being afraid to follow it.

Inspired by Rosanne's fearlessness, I decided to do something that had always been on my bucket list - swim with the dolphins. For years, I have been visiting a special place in Hawaii where you can swim with the dolphins. At least once a year I go and watch, talk to the dolphins and enjoy their healing energy. I have always wanted to swim with them but created every excuse in the book why I shouldn't..."it is such a tourist thing to do, the dolphins don't like it, it is too expensive" and the list goes on. I realized when it comes down to it, I was just afraid. Afraid to swim with creatures who weigh 400 pounds, afraid what people would think, afraid I was wasting my money... The truth is once I got past my fear, it was the best decision I ever made. Jumping into the water with those dolphins was like being with the most loving joyous creatures I have ever known. The dolphin's gentleness, playfulness and purely magnetic healing energy made my heart explode with love. I was, in fact, smiling so much that my cheeks ached from the permanent smile I had pasted on my face. I only wish this for everyone because this is what happens when we walk through our fear and do something we have always dreamed of. What is on your bucket list that you can commit to experiencing? Don't wait until it is too late. Life is meant to lived, fully and fearlessly.

"Do one thing every day that scares you."

 - Eleanor Roosevelt