Life Well Lived Moments Sweepstakes 3: Share A Moment and Enter to Win $250

Life well lived is whenever you share your life with the people you love and sharing in the joy. Nothing else really matters, not material possessions, wealth, etc. Anyway, too bad I missed this! oh well, maybe next time :-)

http://storify.com/RobertRowshan

My life well lived moments come when I am sitting down with my family for a meal and we are sharing about our day. These moments also come when my husband and I are sitting together and enjoying a glass of wine while we talk about everything from our future plans to what happened at the office.

My life well lived are moments in which I pray everyday for the world to be a better place with no serious problems, because I feel a much better knowing my prayers may be saving people. I just want the problems to stop.

My Life Well lived moments are most poignant when I'm discovering new things or places along with my husband and our three boys. What a beautiful lens with which to view the world!

Being honored by the Universe to be a mother, watching my children, and their resilience with their unique ways of comforting and cheering each other up through the ups and downs of life with a simple phrase or look is priceless. Just being present to nurture, and remind them of their role in the "promise" of a better world to come makes me grateful.

My life well lived moments come when I look over and see my rescued pets confident that they are safe now. I recently moved for the frst time in a decade, and the fact that they all came with me, and were not abandoned as they were in the past, is something that they understand. The ones that I thought would forever remain fearful of all people, even me, are suddenly visibly healed after being moved with me, and not left behind cold, lonely, scared, and hungry, as someone else had done to them in the past.

My moment comes when i am sitting next to my husband. maybe we are watching tv together, or driving to the grocery store, it dosen't matter. As long as he is in the same room as me, it is calming and loving.

My life well lived moments come after a long day or night volunteering and making a difference. There's no better feeling in the world!

My Life Well Lived moment came when I began working at the Red Cross. I was in direct contact with the people who needed us, which made me feel fortunate for what we had. Also, I was in direct contact with the local volunteers who donated so much of their time for the elderly and less fortunate people. The works of the volunteers reaffirmed my faith in humanity. The work experience has made me a better person and brightened my outlook on life.

It may be odd to say but a death in our family taught me to live my life well. My sister in law had dealt with multiple types of cancer for over nine years. She never asked for pity, she was always strong. The only wish she had was to be alive long enough to see her two boys grow up. She accomplished that. Her oldest graduated and went on to vocational school and her youngest is a senior and is working hard to get into a college. With out me knowing it, I was taught a lesson. To live life every day like it is your last. To never take anything or anyone for granted. I suffer from depression and have for almost two years. there were times I wanted to give up. Not anymore. Instead of looking at life as being negative I try to find a positive in everything. She taught me that. It is the least I can do after what she went through. If I was to win, I thought I might buy some flowers, cards, books and take them to the cancer ward at our hospital to tell them never give up the fight and to find a positive and hold on to it.

I thouroughly enjoy when my kids pat me on the back. It makes me smile and makes my day and carries through for a long time. They learned it on their own, but know how it makes my eyes sparkle and get misty.

Hi,

I am a disabled man, need a walker to assist me with walking,cannot work, have a speech impediment, cannot write, have no memory, but try to get better everyday because I love life, and refuse to let my challenges beat me, I could use the $250 for some fun money, every dollar I have goes for medical expenses, rent, food. Just a chance to order a pizza or go out to eat other than Mcdonald's, thanks, have a great day!

David Seidler

dave1967@mail.com

630-257-7944

Our home is pure chaos. Our son wakes everyone up at 5, and as early as that is, we already feel behind. With two children with additional needs - including one highly energetic, nonverbal child with autism - every day brings unpredictable ups and downs. But my moment of pure pleasure is at 8:15 pm, when I can take a deep breath after both children are sleeping. I am in awe - overwhelmed with love and absolutely stunned that I managed to get each of us through another day with the laughter outweighing the tears. Then my husband and I enjoy dinner (usually takeout) just for the two of us.

A special moment for me is when I get to just sit down and interact with my children. Kids are amused by the simplest things and all you can do is smile and enjoy it. I enjoy every minute that I have with them.

Seeing your kids grow up and become independent and successful.

When my husband, son and I are snuggled in our bed reading a story. We're all present and enjoying each other.. Love.

samanthajocampen at gmail

My favorite moments are when the whole family is around the table. It's so simple and wonderful to share a meal together talking about old memories and making new ones. When I can look around the table and see all of us enjoying each other, it makes me feel better than anything else.

just to be able to all 3 sit together husband daughter and I, after 2 yrs ago losing everything our home and All.. we can sit and reflect and Laugh and so Happy that Today all 3 of us are Happy and Healthy and Living life to the fullest,, getting back up and having fun together as a Family,, anything we do is Fun!!!

Waking up from a good midday nap gives me a feeling of a life well lived.

Sensations of bittersweetness mark a life well-lived and I can think of nothing more bitter-sweet than every "first" a parent watches their child achieve. Be it a first smile, laugh, or day of school, each of these moments marks something that has been achieved and lost all at once. Even when it is something as commonplace and simple as draining your glass of its last drop of wine and realizing you're all out-- but sharing the bottle with friends was the most fun you've had in ages-- it is only with these bittersweet sensations that we know we are living, that we are alive and well.

My idea of a life well lived is knowing that after finally being freed from a cult I was born and raised in, I now have the ability to think freely and be able to question everything!! There's nothing more beautiful in this world.

I am a 40+ woman who had her first child last year. Because we had to wait so long, I cherish every single day we have with our little girl. I'm also blessed that our family can have a SAHD, and that he cooks supper for us while we spend time playing and getting re-acquainted at the end of the day.

I have 4 children and Im a single mother. With 4 kids theres always something that will drive you crazy,make you want to run a mile and then the moments that make the memories. My kids are my world. And for any unexpected great moment comes memories. My daughters who are twins are 10. They had to do volunteer work for a school project for 6 hours. They have been collecting items for our troops with some great donations from companies. They start in the fall of 2010 and still going strong. They didnt want to stop and it makes me proud and to watch there smiles when they receive a new donation that they made happen is priceless. My 2yr old helps package items and my 15 yr helps load the car to the post office. I love to watch them smile and wish the best for them and at the end of the day...I hope im doing everything right.

A sign of a life well lived is living in the moment, and appreciating every day I see the smiling faces of my family in the morning.

My Brother and I w/ our better half go out to the Homeless ,W/ blankets,food, coffee, and a personnal kit about 2 times a month.For the last few year we are noticin more homeless w/ kids and the elderly, We do everything we can to help them. help find homes, maybe Social security if they need it and just listen to thier heart felt stroys of who they are, how they got there. Maybe someday we the middle class are people close to losing there lively hood, should do something to help each other.Not run and hide from shame of who we are, Once we were great people of this country, something happen since my grandperants times, we should listen to the truth of people that are doing the right thing, and not letting the Gov. run who we are, A piece of our freedom is being taken and we the people do have the right to change this world the right way, Help us find idea's to how we can help to be better people, and pass it forward, maybe someone up there will smile at us, happy holidays everyone

Every year in November I spend the whole month "Paying It Forward'. Sometimes the actions are big, sometimes small, but it always feels great to throw goodness and kindness out into the world. A "Life Well Lived" to me is in taking the time to do something nice for others!

One of my "life well lived" moments is when I try something new. A few weeks ago while vacationing in New Hamphire, I went apple picking for the first time in my life (I'm 30). I like to try new foods and try new activities because doing something new means I am stepping out of the ho-hum of every day life.

My life well lived moments happen when I least expect it, so I try to live in every moment so I don't miss a thing. The leaves are falling from the trees, the weather is getting colder and we are donning warmer clothes and getting into the holiday spirit as Thanksgiving approaches. Now, I have hot cocoa mornings with my daughter and I huddled over the kitchen table pouring over store ads and ohhhing over the holiday decorations. The house is transforming as our favorite holiday decorations make it out of the basement and onto the mantle and on the table in festive decor. Every moment of every day, I have cherish my family and the small moments that all add up to my happiness. All the memories we make in these every day moments are all the memories I will carry with me my whole life, adding up to a full life of love and living life to the fullest.

There's not much I love more than taking a hike, finding a spot along the trail with a great view, and sitting by myself, reflecting on the beauty of nature & life's blessings.

I love to go outside late at night in the winter just after a snowfall. The moon and stars are shining, the snow is sparkling, and the world is quiet... perfect peace.

As the mama to a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old, I make an effort to notice all those moments. Sure, many of them pass when I'm too tired or frenzied to care, but my favorite time is after dinner, before bed, when we have nothing on the calendar. My husband and I usually end up sitting or lying on the floor with our girls crawling over us as we giggle, tickle, "hide", throw them in the air (safely of course ;). Those are the moments of a life well lived, regardless of whether the kitchen is clean or our bank account is full.

My life well lived moments always came when I cooked holiday meals with my mother. We could maneuver around each other as if by instinctual radar, never bumping into each other, knowing in advance the other persons next move. Mother was the only person I could work with or tolerate in the kitchen. We lost my mother the day before Mothers Day last year and now I have to learn how to dance around the kitchen gracefully with my husband.

Some of my most memorable life lived well moments are backpacking in the wilderness with my partner. Him, me and mother nature with no distractions, no stress and lots of great memories.

One of my very best life well lived moments was when (I was 39 at the time) my Dad adopted me and my brother. It was the most awesome feeling to know that someone truly loved you that much.

My best little moments are spent reading and playing games with my son. I have a great love of books, and many of my best little moments are times spent alone with a book, but there is something even more special about passing that love of books to my child and sharing it with him.

Any meal with family and friends is such a moment.

A great cup of coffee on a crisp Autumn morning with my best friend. It is really what life is all about.

One of the "little" things that brightens my life is seeing my kids' report cards, and listening to what their teachers have to say. I'm a stay at home mom. I take that job very seriously. Not only the house, bills, and all that good stuff. I've made a dedication to my children to be there for them whenever they need me, and to help them be productive members of society. So when I see good grades, or hear how well they are doing, I take it very personally. It feels like a job well done! I'm so very proud of them!

coriwestphal at msn dot com

One special, "Life well lived moment" , came the other night. Due to finances my cable is off, and my five children and I have been watching dvd's like crazy. We have pretty much watched every one that we own. The family time together is great. Since we were at out wits end with what to watch next, I pulled out a ton of old home videos of them when they were babies. The roars of laughter have been non-stop! We have even been pushed to tears. At last my eldest daughter who is in college came down for a quick visit, and found she couldn't bring herself to leave as she was so wrapped up in watching all the memories I managed to videotape through all the hectic birthdays and school plays, and talents shows and just days playing at the park with her and her siblings. She looked at me so endearing and grateful. She eventually had to head back to her dorm, but not long after she left, my 19 year old college student text me. It was a simple "ILY". (which means , I love you). Next came, "Those are priceless memories, Thank you for capturing them". That was a moment in my life that I call "well loved".

When I am watching my daughter and my husband doing a project together (painting her clubhouse, building a bookshelf) those are my "Life Well Lived Moments"!

When I think of "Life Well Lived Moments" here is the first thing that popped into my head.

My 2nd daughter is 26 years old. I divorced her father in 1987, when she was 13 months old. He convinced me that I was worthless and did not deserve my children, so I gave him custody. (sigh) What a silly young woman I was. My daughter grew up without a mom in her life. We saw each other for maybe 20 days total in her life.

The "life well lived" moments came this past year when I was staying in my home in Omaha and she came to stay with me. We had an amazing time together while I was there for 4 months. It still makes me tear up when I think of my poor baby girl growing up without me there, but I am so blessed that we had our time together this year.

We gossiped, we laughed, we cried, we danced, we sang, we watched tv, we made dinners, we giggled, we shared clothing, and so much more. Nobody can change the past, but I am so thankful for the future that I will have with my daughter. I loved every moment that we shared.

I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/136056389889032192

I actually had a life well lived moment this weekend. My mother came into town to visit after nearly a year apart. Her hubby is not into the arts while she is an artist. My hubby and I took her to our local art museum for a Monet exhibit (her fav artist) and she was thrilled. She never gets to do stuff like that. Just seeing the happiness on her face and hearing the passion in her voice when she would discuss the pieces with us made my heart sing. One of the best moments in recent memory.

Laughing un controllable with my four year old and holding my sweet four month old are sweet treasured "Life well lived" moments!

One of most FAVE - A Life Well Lived Moments is when my children and I read a Proverb each morning. They then pick a fave verse and draw an illustration to explain the Proverb. I love they are teaching me. :)

A Life Well Lived Moment is at the end of a day when I am finally sitting down, relaxing, listening to the washing machine, dryer and automatic dishwasher do the work that my grandmother and great grandmother had to pain stakingly do by hand years ago without much time to sit down and relax.

LIfe Well Lived Moment for me would most positively be when my 18 year old daughter shows me she is still my baby girl, by sitting on my lap and wrapping her arms around me, just like when she was a small child. It is as if time stops and I am able to see the rainbow of being a "mama"!

For me, it's in those moments when you're faced with the difficulties of life... no matter what they may be... and sitting down with a close friend and having a honest heart to heart chat, a cry and a hug with them.

I love spending time with my 80 year old grandparents after dinner and a long day at work (they live right down the road) to watch their favorite shows, "Without a Trace" and '48 hours.' Being able to spend time with them at this point in their lives is priceless.

Yes, I'am a man, I read Redbook and some other magizines for woman, which my late girlfriend had around the house, It help me understand woman thoughts and needs, and maybe i get a chance i'll sit with you woman and totally out of my deaph with myself, be who i really am. A man lost without you:)

Richard C.