Today, however, has been a day of discussing mortality. I just met with my attorney regarding my powers of attorney (which you all BETTER have!). Then I met with my accountant regarding my 2007 taxes (yep, I know I've waited til the last second, but it's done). Then I came home and had lunch while reading Brad's blog and he wrote about Randy Pausch, a man I wrote about in February in a post titled "The Last Lecture." Ironically, this morning I also saw a commercial for the Diane Sawyer special tomorrow night titled "The Last Lecture: A Love Story For Your Life," which you should watch.
So I ask again: What would you do if you were given 6 months to live?
There are quite a few things I'd do:
- I'd call or write each person I've ever loved in any way and tell them how much they meant to my life and thank them for being part of it.
- I'd tell everyone who ever brought me pain or hurt me that I forgave them a long time ago.
- I'd apologize and ask forgiveness from those I'd hurt, even if I'd done that 20 years ago.
- I would gather my inner circle close to me and spend as much time with them as possible doing all the things we ever talked about doing - travelling, singing, dancing, loving, and more. And we'd capture it all in pictures or video.
- I'd toss out most of my stuff so my family didn't have to go through it once I was gone. It's just stuff, afterall.
- I'd get out of my head, where I have previously gotten stuck too much.
- I'd watch the sunrise and sunset everyday.
- I'd use the words "I love you," "please" and "thank you very much" more.
- I'd say "good morning" or "good afternoon" and smile at everyone, all the time.
- If I read any books at all, it would all be stuff that lifted me up and fed my soul.
- I'd see all the places I've always wanted . . . the Great Pyramids, the Grand Canyon, Paris, the Great Wall of China, and many more.
- I'd abandon my fears.
- I'd get out the "special" outfits, linens and dishes and wear and use them daily.
- I'd journal or blog daily and I'd submit some of my writing for publication.
- I would only eat foods I savored.
- I'd no longer feel imposed on when asked to go antiquing with my dad or the other things with my parents that aren't exactly my favorite things to do.
- Only kind and grateful words would cross my lips.
- I'd climb Baldy again.
- I wouldn't waste a minute of time worrying.
- I wouldn't waste one second of time wasting time.
- I wouldn't watch TV.
- I wouldn't sleep much more than was absolutely necessary, which given I'd only have 6 months to live, wouldn't be much.
- I wouldn't work more than I needed to in order to fund the fun I would be having.
- I would never raise my voice, lose my temper, or lose patience.
- I wouldn't gossip.
Of course, even though I plan to live to a ripe old age, there's no point in waiting for "tomorrow" or some "special event." In short, I want to start Live Like I Was Dying so I never feel the need to squeeze it all in.
You better not die soon, I just started reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks DMVM! I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I truly love my life and am very grateful for all I have.
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