One year ago I died twice in the ER in Arkansas. I had gone there at the insistance of one of the clinic doctors who was checking my husband and me for the flu. It turned out that my husband had Flu A and pneumonia. I had Flu A, bronchitis, and low blood oxygen. It was for the latter that the doc insisted I go to the ER. My husband was too sick to take me, so my good friend Carla took me.
That night my heart stopped twice. I woke up to see nurses standing around my bed asking if I was all right. I didn’t know what they were talking about, so they filled me in that I had to be brought back to life twice, and that the heart doctors were going to install a temporary pacemaker. They did, and then 3 days later, they installed a permanent one.
I have decided to start celebrating an “extra” birthday on February 11th each year, celebrating my 2nd chance at life. Today I’m celebrating by getting a mani/pedi. My son, Brian, wants me to color my nails ‘blue’ or ‘cyan’ again, but I think I’m going to go for purple. I’m enjoying getting to experiment and having something different each time!
Brian is making an appointment to get my pacemaker checked, and I have a routine appointment with my regular doctor on the 17th, so I’ll be all ready for a brand new year!
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Dying changes your perspective on things. It makes you so very grateful for all you have. It also allows you to shed a lot of things that you didn’t need to be carrying around with you. You look at life differently – forgiving yourself for not being perfect. You begin to accept a lot of things you used to get upset about, realizing that there are many things you can’t change, and that the world will go on with or without you. You learn to cherish all the beautiful things and people around you and hold them close. You make a commitment to enjoy yourself more, to concentrate on all that brings you joy. You shed whatever you can, simplifying your life down to the essentials. You change your priorities and learn not to be pressured. You smile more. You FEEL the happiness flow through you. You take the time to rest and breathe, drinking in the wonder of it all.
It has made ME more aware of my health and more committed to treating my body the very best way I can. That means paying more attention to what and how much I’m eating. I’m actually allowing myself some things I had given up in my quest to lose weight. Oddly, enough, that change – particularly going to twice a day eating and portion control – has made the difference on almost reaching goal on which I have been working for over two years now. I am exercising every day – at the gym and again at home – to improve my strength, balance, flexibility and more.
I am committed to joy, for myself and others. I realize how the happiness just spills out of me since I began making time for the things I love. Not just allowing myself a taste now and then, but embracing it and making it the priority of whatever life remains. My cheeks hurt at the end of the day from grinning from ear to ear.
I want you to know (the wisdom of a one-year-old) that you need not die in order to learn and practice this. You learn to practice it in little steps at first – maybe 15 minutes on your lunch break or one of the last things you do at night before bed, and then expand on it.
Give yourself this gift. Maybe even declare a 2nd birthday on the day you start!
creativeartworksblog 
There are many Near Death Experience survivors in the world…very interesting stories they share as their souls left their body temporarily but returned with profound knowledge from the Other Side. They return ‘changed’ with greater awareness and love for everyone and life itself. 💝🙂💝
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Thanks for writing. I really appreciate it.
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You are welcome. Wish you the best for 2026🙏💝🙏
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Thanks so much! You just made my day. I wish you the best, as well.
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What a wonderful idea, Linda! To celebrate another birthday, because for you, you really were born again on Feb. 11th! I am so grateful that you were and always amazed at how you have changed your priorities and consequently, your life! Hugs!
Happy birthday, again!
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Thanks so much, Sheila. I may be the luckiest person alive – at least I may be in the running for the happiest. Every day is a gift to be noticed, appreciated, and enjoyed to the fullest. I’m grateful to have YOU in my life. Thanks for the hugs. ((((((Sheila)))))
Haaaaaappy birrrrrthdaaaaaay tooooo meeeeeeee……
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You are lucky and sweet, Linda! ❤️🥳
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Thank you, Sweet Sheila.
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🌹🥰🌹
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😁
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Glad you are still around x hugs
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Thanks, Christine. I am, too!😁
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What a wonderful post! I can feel your excitement and your gratitude, and your happiness! I’m so glad you got to live, and also, that you are sharing everything with us, your readers. Thank you very much. (Donna)
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It’s a rare gift, indeed, and I’m trying every day to make the most of it. Thank you for reading my posts and for commenting, Donna. It means the world to me.
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What a beautiful and inspiring post! Warmth and gratitude to you
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Thank you very much for your kind words. I’m am such a lucky lady. :0)
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I am happy to read this and celebrate you and the gifts you give to all of us as you share your journey. Thank you.
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What a kind thing to say, Linda. Thank you! I truly love finding and sharing things on the blog. I’ve met some really nice people doing it. I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts, PLUS helping me celebrate! :0)
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Wow what an amazing and inspiring story. So glad you had wonderful staff at the hospital that took care of you and that you are here with us today. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I’m lucky to be here and grateful for each and every day now.
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People really should appreciate and celebrate life while they still got it.Thank you Linda.
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I’m hoping I can wake people up to that so they don’t have to survive a crisis to discover it. Thank you for writing. 😀
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The lessons were beautifully written, Linda. Profound truths that needed to be said. we need not die in order to do anythjng worth trying.
I hope you’re doing well now.
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Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I’m doing great now, thank you. Health is a priority and I’m filling my days with joy. Thank you for writing.
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where you i did all who was get
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Thank you!
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Thank you for this beautiful reflection! It’s amazing what a change in perspective can do for our lives! Happy Life New Day!
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Thank you for writing, Shiloh. I appreciate it. I see everything in a completely new light now and pack my days full of joy. I won’t waste a minute of my 2nd chance.
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Very nice 👌
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Thank you very much, Neeraj.
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Wow, that’s incredible. I’m happy you were okay. NDEs can trigger a lot of spiritual expansion and growth, it makes you question everything
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Thank you so much for writing, plus your kind words. Dying really changes your priorities and appreciate every.single.thing.you.have. 😁
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Thank you for sharing. You write very well for a 1 year old 🙂
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hahahahaha Thank you, Priscilla. I’m glad you liked the post. Thank so much for writing.
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Great 👍
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Thanks very much!
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What a nice way of looking into life.! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks very much, Neffie. I appreciate you!
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Beautiful
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Thank you very much, Hattie. Thanks for writing.
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Yours is a lovely perspective on the gift of receiving second chances with open arms and eyes. Happy Birthday to you!
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Thank you very much! I appreciate your taking the time to comment and give me birthday wishes. :0)
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What a wonderful post, thank you!
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Thank you so much for your nice comment, Chloe. Have a wonderful day. :0)
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Jesus is the reason we are alive and breathing: Amen
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Amen. Thank you for writing.
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ur welcome
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🙂
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This is such a powerful piece. I love the wisdom of making time for what brings you joy because the more joyful you are, the fuller life feels and the better able you are to connect with others 🙂 I’m happy to hear you now have a second birthday and are celebrating with a mani/pedi!
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Thanks so much for your kind comment! I appreciate you.
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well said!
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I’m glad that this post has people thinking – maybe in a different way – about their lives. We rarely get 2nd chances, and that, in combination with our move to Thailand and my husband’s stroke, really got MY attention. I have received some wonderful comments from thoughtful people on this. I love that.
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a felt of mine so cuteee
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Thank you.
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Good information
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Thank you, Alex.
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Thank you!
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Yes, I hear you. I’m glad 😊 for “extra” birthdays
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Thank you!
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So many layers to dying. You faced the ultimate pivot point. Celebrate. Indeed. We should all adopt this insight at every turn, however mild or finite. Thank you.
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Thank you so much for reading my post and taking the time to write. It means a lot. I am living a very privileged life now, very grateful for every moment of every day. It’s a wonderful feeling. Thanks again.
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You are most welcome. My pleasure.
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😁
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The death of a loved one has me learning so much about my life. What to settle for and what not to. I am working hard to have the art business I have always dreamed of. I know have a full grasp of what I don’t want. I sure know what I do want.
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I now have
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Death – of a loved one, especially – really changes your perspective. I’m glad that you’re figuring out what you do want and what you don’t. I wish you the very best of luck in the art business. You can make it happen. Just take one step at a time. Thank you for writing, Mireya.
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Oh, what a brilliant idea. Declare it your second birthday the day you start. It is impressive that you work out twice a day, every day. It is so true that we don’t have to be on our last breath to appreciate the fullness each day offers.
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Thank you for writing, Charli. I have felt better and better since I decided to enjoy each and every day to the fullest. Dying really changed my perspective on things, and I wanted to share my thoughts so that others might decide to put as many of the things they love into their days NOW. It has to be an intentional thing and I’m hoping people will make their days brighter. Thanks again for telling me you liked the post.
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It sounds like this experience was incredibly impactful for your outlook on life. I can only imagine. Happy extra birthday 🫶☺️
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Thank you, Linda. Maybe I’ll be wiser this time around… 🙂
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Stories like this remind us how precious life really is. Your commitment to joy and gratitude is something many of us can learn from.
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Thank you! I appreciate your reading this and taking time to write.
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Love the site! I blog about the New York Mets, mets-madness.com feel free to check out my blog, this link is the correct one if you scroll all the way down on my blog you can subscribe, can you please follow mine too? Let’s help each other grow! -Mikayla Scotlynd Littrell, MetsMadness.
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Thank you, Mikayla. I’m glad you like it. I just subscribed to your site.
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👍 👍
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Thank you vey much. 🙏🏻
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Definitely a day worth celebrating! Happy 2nd Birthday! -Lacy
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Hello, Lacy. Thank you for reading the post, and THANKS so much for the birthday wishes! I’m a very lucky woman and each day is a celebration in my heart. Have a wonderful day.
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Happy Belated Second Birthday! Thank you for the reminder to enjoy life every minute of every day. It is a gift that most only get once in their life and we shouldn’t wait to see if we’ll be gifted it a second time.
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Thank you very much! I live a life of gratitude now, squeezing every drop of joy that I can out of every day. Thanks for writing.
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Lovely story. Happy for you!
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Thank you very much, Doreen. It’s kind of you to write. Have a wonderful day!
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LOVE YOUR STORY.
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Thank you very much! I appreciate your taking the time to write. 🙂
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really beautifully written
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Thank you so much, Pratik. I appreciate your writing.
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Wonderful!!!
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Thank you very much, Alberto. I appreciate your reading the post and taking the time to comment.
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