It is humanity’s best kept secret. We all know we’re going to die. But few of us really believe it. Even fewer live our lives as if we understand it.
Ask yourself: If you knew you were going to die one year from now, would you live your life differently?
I know I would.
I would savor every moment, cherish every breath of air, notice every blade of grass. I would live like the people I most love are the people I love most. I would stop complaining and criticizing and feeling sorry for myself. I would live to make their lives better, and wouldn’t wait to hug them and hold them and tell them how much they mean to me. I would stop worrying about what strangers think. I would re-read the books that made me happiest and listen to music that makes me want to dance. I would live as if I knew I were going to die.
Sometimes we do know when our days are numbered; but by then it’s often too late. By the time we get the “months to live” prognosis, we’re often feeling too sick and tired to live like we were dying.
Here’s the thing. Most of us aren’t going to die a year from now. But we’re all going to die, maybe in five years or maybe in 50.
So take a moment every day to be grateful for this day, and live as if you knew your days were numbered.
Because they are.
This is so inspirational. Thank you.
I’m so glad you liked it Rose!
Reblogged this on cancer killing recipe and commented:
Hi!
This morning I found this very interesting Post published by Keith Mc Arthur and I want to share with you my Dear Readers.
It is about – Memento Mori (lat) – a reminder of mortality.
And it is about – Memento Vivere (lat) – Remember to Live.
As Charlie Brown said:
Some day, we will all die, Snoopy!
Snoopy:
True. But on all the other days, we will not. š !
God bless you all.
Oneanna65
I LOVE that Peanuts quote!
Reblogged this on Arinuck ptl and commented:
Grateful for this day. For all the people I am blessed with in my life. And for all the people that are hard to love. They need my love the most… Grateful for my Lord Jesus!
So glad you took the time to be grateful!
This is awesome and so very, very true!!!! Live your life, do what you want, because it’ll be over before you know it. My daughter went off to university and she is now 20! What happened, all of a sudden, she’s 20!!! I would always leave the dishes and instead play with her, or help the kids with homework! This is way more important than dishes and chores. I mean the dishes always got done at some time or other, but the kids were always priority, and still are! Thanks for this article!! š
I’m glad you liked the post! My teenager is leaving for overnight camp for the first time tomorrow. It’s only two weeks but I know I’m going to miss him so much. Don’t know how I’ll handle it when it’s university time.
I say, make sure you spend lots of time with your teenager. I have a really good relationship with my 16 year old son too, we get along great! I even go to the gym with my daughter (who is here for the summer) and my son! What more could a mother ask for??? I feel very, very lucky!!!!
This seems the perfect place to share an insight I had while riding my bike along a tree-lined trail: Dying is the ONLY thing I have to do in this life. Everything else is a choice. I may not like the options I’m given at every moment, but I still have options. I can choose. Death is coming for me, but it’s the only thing that is. I get to decide the rest. So while I’m here, I choose to live.
For some living might mean trying to “win.” Gaining money or fame or power. But that won’t suit me. What am I going to do with it when the only thing I have to do happens? Nothing. The victory is hollow. I’d rather laugh. I’d rather feel the ineffable connection with other human beings and try to understand what I can do to contribute whatever unique combination of talents and skills I have because this is literally the first and the last time that I will ever be here.
Okay, that’s a lot for a Monday. So, cheers!
Angela, thanks so much for visiting My Instruction Manual and for leaving such a profound comment here!
This was… needed, this concept will and should hopefully help people see that the negativity is useless and will only hurt in the end, never help, thanks for the amazing post!!
You’re so welcome. Thank YOU for the kind words and for being part of the My Instruction Manual community!
Of course!
Reblogged this on Verbal Stimuli and commented:
Living like there’s no tomorrow….Think about that for a second; What would you do, how would you live?
Hmm… I see your point, but then again there is no sweeter lie than the one “that life is forever” because it doesn’t make you worry and it doesn’t give you anxiety for all the things you haven’t done. Not to mention that there are so many things that takes effort and are hard that you wouldn’t do if you thought you weren’t going to have a long life. Well anyway, just a thought š
Yes, such a sweet, sweet lie!
So true! A much needed reminder well voiced! š
I’m glad you found the post helpful!
We are going to die that is the reality. Once a human is born, he/she begins his/her journey to death. But we have a choice to die before our death.
Kind of like how Dec. 21 is both the the start of winter and the shortest day of the year.
Inspirational writing! Really makes you think twice about how much we should be appreciating every day that we are gifted with š
Thanks Abi!
Found this thanks to a reblog by oneanna65 and I am so glad I did! Thank you for the reminder. I had open heart surgery 13 months ago and appreciate being given additional years.
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