If you had one day left
to live on this earth,
how would you spend it?

The 10^th bottle of Catawba Juice was uncorked and overflowing on the sticky kitchen floor. Decorated New Year's Plates with shrimp tails and cocktail sauce, cheese and crackers falling off the sides were strewn throughout the house. Eight children with enough energy for 20 were running around a small house. Doors slamming from one room to another and shrills of high pitched screams lifting off the roof.  The new Christmas game "Apples to Apples" was retired in the corner.  Six parents huddled together in a very small family room around a television where all eyes darted back and forth to the large, oversized round clock on the wall.  All eyes were focussed in on a failing Dick Clark and a stop watch waiting for a large glittered ball to drop in New York's Times Square.  Above all the ruckus were anxious and tired voices from parents repeating the same question; "how much longer until the ball drops SOMEWHERE?"  Those were the sights and sounds at the Rongen house as we prepared to usher in 2008. 

Now, I'm an eternal optimist and most always see the glass as overflowing, however in this case, I could not help but analyze the above situation and deduct a few options:

1. The parents of the children were very tired from the Christmas Holiday
2. Parents were so excited to bring in the New Year, they wanted to start on East Coast Time or;
3. I am a really lousy host!

After reflecting and giving just a moment's worth of thought, I've come to the most obvious conclusion; it surely must be letter B.  Parents were so excited to bring in the New Year; they wanted to start on East Coast Time.

It must have been letter B as when the proverbial ball dropped, we all perked up and gained our momentum back as we eagerly went around the room and shared highlights of 2007.  There were belly laugh moments, embarrassing moments, and some tearful moments.  All in all, the consensus in that small room was 2007 ranked right up there with the best of years. 

Of course, most of you know that I feel my purpose is to get people to "live life deeper".  I couldn't help but seize the reflective moment and ask the thought provoking question inspired by Mitch Albom's recent book; If you had one day left to live on this earth, how would you spend it? Again, I do not believe I was surprised by the answers, but felt grounded knowing I surrounded my family with friends that shared in my intrinsic core values of Faith and Family.  I was confirmed again going into 2008 that neither the things we acquire nor the status of our bank accounts give value to our life.  It is what we do with our bank accounts and things of value that make a lasting impression on the world.  

I find the above question so revealing and fascinating.  I would be delighted if each of you took a moment to write me back at renee@reneerongen.com and share one thought of how you would spend your day (or not spend your day).  I will highlight them without your names and include them in future newsletters.  As for me, here is a portion of what that day would look like.

If I had one more day.....

1. I would wake up early (my preference is summer) grind coffee beans of some gourmet blend, add real cream, pour into my favorite oversized coffee mug and head outside.  I would leisurely walk through my gardens and the vineyard watching the sunrise.
   
   
2. My next cup would be filled and I would head down to the lake and sit on the dock with my feet hanging over looking at the vast beauty I have been blessed with.  I would pray and be thankful.
   
   
3. I would pack the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and some favorite snacks and take the kayaks out with my children and laugh hard about those funny moments.  I would share with each of them my hopes, dreams and prayers for them.
   
   
4. I love to take a great nap in the hammock, so I believe I would take an abbreviated "siesta" as time would be of the essence. 
   
   
5. The afternoon would be filled with looking at pictures and videos with my husband and children. 
   
   
6. After the perfect homemade pizza and popcorn dinner, my husband and I would retire to our favorite evening spot in the house, the intimate family room with overstuffed furniture.  I would curl up as I do almost every evening and I would sip on another great cup of coffee and shut my eyes as I listened to the magical moments of Canon in D, Silent Night, When the Saints Go Marching in played by my children on the piano.
   
   
7. My family and close friends would come over for root beer floats lakeside and we would have a bon fire and make s'mores and laugh.  We would watch the sunset over the water and I would toast them all and tell each of them how special they have been in my life. I would make a special toast to my parents, thanking them for all of their wisdom and guidance and for hanging on during the "tough" years.
   
   
8. I would send a blast email out to all of my friends and clients telling them how privileged I have been to have had them in my life. 
   
   
9. I would say night prayers with my children, tickle and giggle and tuck them in. 
   
   
10. My day would end from the top of my house, our bedroom where I would overlook the lake by the moonlight with my husband.  We would laugh and giggle like we did when we first dated.  I would give thanks for a life well lived!  I would say as I always say when I speak; "I come to You empty, all used up... I have nothing left... I used all of the gifts You gave me!" 

2007 has been a magnificent year of meeting and working with new clients.  I have had the privilege of speaking and inspiring thousands across the globe to really live and be conscious always of the legacy they are creating.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my messages with your organizations.  Thank you for your belief in me and mostly thank you for grasping and embracing the "Pay if Forward" concept.  Each of you is making a difference one good deed at a time!  

The window to 2007 has shut and the door to 2008 has been opened.  How will you spend your days? 

My wish for you in 2008 is that you enjoy health, laughter in the sunlight, tears of joy, simple moments, and hugs from family and friends when the burdens become too heavy.   

Thank you again for a wonderful year.  I sincerely appreciate every one of you!

Renee' Wall Rongen

Renee' Rongen & Associates, LLC

Life's Your Legacy... LIVE IT!"

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PAY IT FORWARD!

Tell us what you are doing to Pay It Forward... email Renee' at renee@reneerongen.com or submit  your story on www.payitforwardmn.com. You can also order additional Pay It Forward cards!

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