Point to Ponder:
Are you majoring in the major or majoring in the minor?

Action Item:
After asking yourself the Point to Ponder, determine if there are things you’d like to change.  If so, it’s time to be bold  — decide how you will begin majoring in the major THIS WEEK!

Over Thanksgiving my husband Russell unfortunately attended the funeral of a friend’s grandmother. During the funeral, many friends and family members spoke on behalf of the extraordinary women who lived a life filled with faith, family and friends. In addition to sharing beautiful stories and celebrating her life, the pastor who officiated the service also gave an inspiring message which forced each guest to reflect on his or her life.

While I did not attend the service, Russell passionately shared the pastor’s message with me. The pastor made many incredible points, however the one question that caused me to question my life and how I am spending each day was this:

“Are you majoring in the major, or majoring in the minor?  Too many people go through this life majoring in the minor, and minoring in the major rather than majoring in the major.”

Wow! I’d never heard it said like that before and he’s so right. It is so easy to become distracted and focused on the minor things. It reminded me of an article I recently read called “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying,” which is also a book. The book was written by Bronnie Ware, a former palliative care nurse. Her findings were that the top 5 regrets expressed by the terminally ill were:

1. “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself and not the life others expected of me.”
2. “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
3. “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”
4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
5. “I wish I’d let myself be happier.”

Like the pastor’s question, the top 5 regrets are powerful and made me stop and consider what I would change if I knew my days were numbered, and if I truly am majoring in the major?

My purpose in writing about this topic is certainly not to be morbid or depressing, but to provide a real gut-check for all of us so we can live with intention and do the things we love with whom we love. And, what better time to think about this than during the holidays and going into a new year?!

Finally, I want to leave you with this beautiful poem:  The Dash by Linda Elis

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