How to Live Like You Are Dying
Live like you are dying because one day you will ~Author
A story about enjoying each moment you have.
I refuse to live a life of anger and bitterness.
I refuse to become involved in political chaos.
I believe it is important to be politically concerned and utilize your rights at the ballot box.
However, I will not spend my days creating unrest in my life.
I have one life; I will never have this day again.
I will live my life like I am dying because one day I will.
This story may sound morbid, but its purpose is to encourage you to try to enjoy each day, no matter what.
When I was in my twenties, I never thought much about life or dying.
I started working in hospice, and it was a great honor to serve those who were at the end of their lives.
The phrase “live life like it’s your last day” is often tossed around casually, a motivational cliché.
But what if we truly internalized its essence?
The act of embracing life’s impermanence isn’t about recklessness; it’s about intentionality.
I’m more intentional about my time.
I’m more intentional about who I allow in my close personal space.
It’s not about being better than anyone; it’s about creating boundaries and protecting my peace.
It’s about shedding the layers of fear, regret, and inertia that can hold us back from truly experiencing the richness of existence.
Living each day as if it were your last demands a radical shift in perspective.
It cost me something to not go anywhere or follow the latest trend.
The mundane tasks that once filled your schedule with a sense of obligation suddenly is renewed.
The morning commute becomes an opportunity to appreciate the sunrise, the hum of the city, and the song of life.
I’m grateful I can hear the birds first thing in the morning.
I live near a private airport, and I enjoy hearing the small-engine planes fly over sometimes.
Do you find yourself savoring the simple pleasures — the warmth of the sun on your skin, the laughter of a stranger, the comfort of a loved one’s embrace?
Are you too busy to enjoy the sun on your face?
Are you too busy to hold the hand of the small child you have in your life?
These weren’t insignificant before, but with the ever-present awareness of life’s fleeting nature, they become treasures to be cherished.
I’m so grateful to have my elders in my family.
I’m grateful they are still alive; some people did not live to get old in my family.
I have lived longer than my mother.
I have no room to complain about anything.
This newfound appreciation for the present can extend to your relationships.
You can shed inhibitions and express yourself with honesty.
You can mend broken bridges, mend fences with loved ones, and forgive past transgressions.
Long-held grievances seem petty in the face of potential goodbyes.
You prioritize spending time with those who matter most, creating memories that will serve as a warm ember in your heart, even if they’re the last.
I’m not naive; some things cannot be changed, but today can begin a new normal.
Living your last day wouldn’t be about pursuing material possessions; it would be about chasing experiences.
The career you toiled at for years for the sake of security might suddenly lose its appeal.
You might finally take that long-awaited trip, the one relegated to the back burner for “someday.”
You might finally pursue that creative passion you kept hidden out of fear of failure.
Every experience, every adventure, becomes a brushstroke on the canvas of your life, a testament to the vibrancy with which you choose to live.
The choice is ours; let’s live like we are dying because one day we will.
Thank you for reading.
Be Well!
