Life Is Short, Make It Sweet!

In Old Dominion's country song, the lyrics say, “Life is short, make it sweet,” and “Days are long, but the years will fly right by.” These lines inspire this week’s blog for Graceful Impact.

As I sit down to write, I’m in awe of how quickly my junior year at UNC is flying by. It feels like just yesterday I was moving into my own place in Chapel Hill, grappling with those first-day jitters. Seriously, freshman and sophomore years feel like they just happened! How has it already been two years since I walked to South Campus after class or experienced my first UNC football game as a student? Why is life moving so fast? How can I make time slow down?

As much as I wish it could, life doesn’t slow down, and everyone around me insists it only gets faster—like, seriously?!

Every night before bed, I check my Google Calendar to see my minute-by-minute agenda for the next day. At 12:15, I have lunch; at 6:30, I go to dance; and I need to be in bed by 11:30 to do it all over again. The long days in class can feel endless, yet every Sunday, I reflect on my week and realize, just like that, we’re one week closer to the end of the year.

A routine, a schedule, a long to-do list—it can make each day feel like the last.

“Life is short, make it sweet…” But how? How do we turn a life filled with challenges and changes into something sweet? For some, it’s the little things that keep them going; for others, it’s the rare, big moments.

I often find myself stressed about school, deadlines, securing an internship for next summer, and wondering about life after graduation. But why?

In focusing on the future, I must remember to appreciate the small things. When I wake up dreading the school day, I remind myself that someone has dreamed of having the opportunity to attend college, so I should go out and learn as much as I can. When I complain about my 15-minute walk to class, I try to remember that someone wishes they could stand or take even a short stroll. When grocery shopping feels like a chore, I remind myself that it’s a blessing to be able to buy what I need while others may not know when their next meal will come.

In the chaos of life, I strive to find gratitude and sweetness—whether it’s in a spontaneous coffee with a friend or a quiet evening reflecting on my week. These moments remind me that while life is short, it’s also full of opportunities for joy.

As I navigate my junior year, I’m realizing that sweetness often hides in the chaos. It’s in the laughter shared with friends, the quiet moments of reflection, the beautiful orange and pink sunsets on Franklin, and those small joys that remind me how precious life is.

So, I invite you to take a moment today—pause, breathe, and think about what makes your life sweet. Is it the little victories, time spent with loved ones, or simply savoring a beautiful sunset? Let’s embrace the challenges, cherish the fleeting moments, and strive to make each day count. You never know when these moments might be your last.

After all, life is a collection of these moments, and together, we can make them truly unforgettable. So go for it! Apply for that job! Get up to watch the sunrise! Dance with your friends! Try new things! Live each moment to the fullest, because oh, how sweet life truly is!