"This is not a test."

I feel like Liam Neeson needs to repeat this statement to us -- in his "listen to me or I will 'f' you up voice" -- via the always present cell phone we each carry around like an extra limb, every single day.

Heck, it would probably be more effective if he reminded us of this multiple times each day and perhaps if he did, we wouldn't walk around like unpresent, disassociated, ungrateful zombies of fathers, mothers, wives, husbands and human beings who are unhealthily attached to our phones.

This is not a test.

But, sadly (and embarrassingly), sometimes we treat it like it is one.

We've all got struggles.

We're all dealing with challenges, big and small.

We've all got financial worries.

We've all got stress.

We're all questioning our decisions.

We're all trying to find and maintain "balance."

We're all working on our relationships with others.

We're all unsure if we're doing life "right."

But, this is not a test.

So these uncertainties, we can't let them hold us back.

We cannot let them encourage a disconnected and thankless attitude, followed by selfish, inconsiderate and mindless actions.

We have to decide to wake up in the morning, no matter whether we arose on the right or wrong side of the bed, and remember that today is not a test; it's a gift.

We get one shot in this life to make it what we want it to be and to love who we want to love, good and hard.

Today is not a test.

This life is not a test.

It's not practice day.

It's DO day.

It's get it done as if your life depended on it because it does.

This is not a test, but if it was, would you pass?

Be present.

Connect.

Love.

Learn.

Rinse and repeat.