It is with certainty that I say we all experienced a ‘first’ at some point in our lives. No one escapes his/her ‘first’.

Let us trace back all the possible firsts that can come to mind. There is the first time we open our eyes when we are out of the womb, there is the first cry, first smile, first laugh, first word, first step, first touch of someone who loves you, all the way to your first mistake, first punishment, first feeling.  Let us not forget the first day of school, first homework, first friend you make, first fall, first fight, first disappointment.  We grow up and still there are more firsts to experience, like your first car, first time you drive, first interview, first job, first pay check, first house.

Now on to the heavy stuff; your first love, first kiss, first time you make love, first heartbreak, first time you give up, first accomplishment, first failure. I have to admit that the first time you hold your own baby in your arms is a moment that even time cannot make you forget it. What about the first time you make a promise and the first time you let someone down which leads to the first time you feel guilty or helpless or even angry.  The first time you are scared and the first time you realize there is no need to fear. Then there is the first time you come to a realization and for the first time you really know how to handle a tough situation.  You will always remember the first time you truly pray from the bottom of your heart and know that God is listening, the first time you face yourself with the cruel reality; may it be about yourself, someone else or life in general.

There is indeed a first time for everything and everyone.  Our firsts are to be cherished and treasured deeply – for this first may very well be your last.

The memory of that first experience stays with us no matter where we go, what we do or who we are with.

The question to ask is why does that first time mean so much?

I guess because the feeling associated with that experience is a new feeling, it can be a positive one or a negative one – it will still affect us nonetheless.

A first of something can lead into more of the same.  Now the reoccurrence of that experience can teach us something about ourselves since the feelings involved will affect our well-being.  The outcome can cause us to make changes in our lives or better yet we can change who we are.  Hopefully for the better!

When you say I did this ‘for the first time’ – it gives you a sense of accomplishment.

When you say I feel this ‘for the first time’ – it gives you a sense of belonging.

And when you say I said this ‘for the first time’ – it gives you a sense of conviction.

Usually it is something we say, do, or feel – most things can be categorized in these groups.

The bottom line is that ‘Our first time’ can very well shape who we are, what we do, what we say, how we feel and how we choose to live the rest of our lives.

The thing is, firsts do not really end.  You can be 100 years old and still experience a ‘first’. This observation got me thinking about my life, what was, is and will be.  I am grateful for every first I ever had and I look forward to more firsts in the future.  Every ‘first experience’ is a blessing in my eyes.  It is here for a reason and the timing it shows up is also for a reason, which I may know now or know later.  Be that as it may, I wouldn’t change a thing about all of my firsts.

Now is the time to start thinking back about those special moments – remember them as they play out in your head, freeze that moment, close your eyes and take a deep breath.  You can relive that moment in your memory, that ‘first’, to the point that you can almost smell your surroundings, even feel similar emotions.  Deep stuff … huh?  It is possible.  Watch the smile on your face after … you know what … it’s PRICELESS.