Pete Mendoza | Vaquero Radio
The world we live in is a place of constant change, good or bad. Each individual faces their own change somewhere in life, and most find these changes difficult and painful. For the most part, I say I am good when it comes to certain changes, but when these moments occur, it feels as if I am giving up a part of my life and a part of me.
I think a lot about the fact that most people, opportunities, and moments will never last forever and will eventually leave or fade away. It truly is a terrible feeling that sometimes keeps me up at night.
On the other hand, I’ve always been the type of person to go with the flow. I constantly tell myself, “What happens, happens,” or “It is what it is,” to try and avoid stressing out about certain scenarios.
I had gone through many changes at a young age, from moving to different cities to separating from close family members and friends to moments I can’t even begin to explain. I learned quickly that things just come and go, whether fast or slow.
With age, I came to an even greater realization: I must love and appreciate every moment and every person I cross paths with. If I treat every moment like it is my last and enjoy even the small things, life’s changes won’t be as hard.
I say this because once you understand what is precious to you, even if that thing doesn’t last, you can always look back and find a great experience. Even the bad moments can give you a sense of motivation to be better.
Each experience you have gives you the potential to grow as a person and understand who you want to be. Whether you are getting into a new relationship, leaving a job, graduating, or even the passing of a family member, each moment can show the kind of person you are and give you a glimpse of what you can be.
When I was younger, my grandpa was one of the people I had always wanted to visit. He was a kind and strong man who worked on a farm for most of his life.
Every morning, I would wake up and see him eating a concha with coffee, waiting for everyone to wake up. My grandma would tell him not to give me anything sweet because I had not eaten yet. He’d then look over at me, give me a marranito, and tell me to run off to my room.
The day that I heard he had passed away was a moment that hit me like a freight train. I was lost and in shambles. To this day, it still hurts, but I know that every memory of him is beautiful and that I can cherish it for the rest of my life.
I’d rather be grateful to have had him in my life than never to have known him. He helped me understand the kind of person I wanted to be. To this day, I strive to live a life where I can be happy, kind, and strong.
At the end of the day, life will always keep moving and changing, whether we like it or not. It is just a matter of whether we choose to let those changes prevent us from living life or help us to become happier and improve ourselves.
You can live a good life if you can see positivity through all things.
