Choosing to Live One Moment at a Time

“Liv!… As Opposed to Die!”

 Choosing to Live One Moment at a Time

Have you ever had a moment where something you usually take for granted suddenly takes on a new meaning? For me, it happened one packed evening in a nightclub in the north of England about 30 years ago. A random guy, in the midst of typical nightclub chatter, asked, "What's your name then?" I must have said “Liv” about four times, but after his fifth attempt of “What did you say?”, I shouted in a loud, edgy voice, “Liv!... as opposed to die!”

The stunned look on his face, as he shuffled away didn’t highlight my finest moment, but sparked an insight. For the first time, I truly contemplated what a gift my abbreviated name, Liv (short for Olivia), really was. Every time someone addressed me, called me over, introduced me, made fun of me, picked on me, laughed at or with me, or chatted me up, I was receiving the message to Liv(e)… as opposed to die.

While this may sound dramatic, the reality is that we all face this metaphorical choice at every moment. To live or die. I’m not talking about the inevitability of saying goodbye to our physical bodies in this lifetime. I’m talking about the energetics of each moment. We can always choose to step towards life and living or head in the direction of death and dying. No matter the circumstances, we always have a choice.

I remember hearing a powerful story about a man in a prisoner-of-war camp who was lining up to enter a gas chamber. As he stood in line for his death, he decided to dance. He chose to dance! Even in the direst circumstances, we still have a choice. We still have a spirit, a soul, a center, a higher and authentic self—whatever you want to call it—that cannot be hurt, damaged, or taken away. That is our ultimate gift and birthright.

For me, as I have been taking the transition of my work to new vistas over the last couple of years I realise that is what I am doing, choosing to live by taking creative and authentic risks in everything I do. I’m not always clear on where I’m going but in the moment the call to live is always there.

So, the next time you face a moment of indecision, remember you always have a choice to “Liv(e)... as opposed to die”. Ask yourself: What am I choosing? Embrace the gift of life in every moment, and let that choice guide you towards a richer, more vibrant existence. And – no matter what, remember you get to CHOOSE.

Invitations:

Following the theme of living and dying - here are some questions to contemplate at any given moment:

Am I walking towards the solution or towards the problem?

Am I connected to what is real and authentic or am I in a role and acting from a place of duty?

What are my values and am I moving closer or further away from them?

VIDEO: Click above… What’s the most important step for me to take next?

If you have any questions about Liv Unearthed or suggestions for future editions, please reach out and let me know!

Originally Published in Liv Unearthed July 2024