One of the many lessons that could be gleaned from the pandemic, is that life is unpredictable. Unless you are a scientist or political leader, it’s likely that you didn’t see it coming. At this writing, over 700,000 people in the U.S. have succumbed to it. Consider how many circles that kind of loss has impacted. It seems to be a wakeup call to live each day to the fullest.
Reflecting on Mortality and Legacy
We know the date we entered the world and most of us celebrate it each year. If you could know the exact moment and method of your death, would you want to be told? Author and teacher, Stephen Levine published a book in 1998 called A Year To Live where he posed such a question. He set about to live day to day as if at the end of the experiment he would pass. When he finished the book, his life continued for another 18 years. He left an enduring legacy. What would you like your legacy to be?
- What would you do if you knew?
- Would you fulfill bucket list items?
- Would you open your heart to someone you had held dear but never told them?
- Would you take a trip somewhere you have always wanted to travel?
- Would you write a memoir?
- Would you take on a challenge that you had been avoiding?
- Would you spend time with family and friends?
- Would you be of service?
- Would you get up on stage and sing?
- Would you do a TEDtalk?
- Would you compose your magnum opus?
- Would you let go of aspects of yourself that had been holding you back?
- Would you clean out your house and give away items before you passed so that you can see others enjoy them?
- Would you bravely confront your limiting thoughts and self-criticism?
- Would you treat yourself with the same love and compassion as you do for others?
- Would you plant a garden?
- Would you volunteer for a cause that makes the world a better place?
- Would you set aside money for charity?
- Would you audition for one of the television talent shows?
- Would you have a conversation with death and ask what it wants you to learn knowing you are facing it?
- Would you smile at and talk to strangers?
- Would you make a difference in the life of a child?
- Would you face your fierce fears?
- Would you come to terms with regrets?
- Would you make amends to those you may have hurt?
- Would you leave love notes for strangers to find?
- Would you write a letter to the long lost and fractured aspects of yourself?
- Would you spend more time in nature?
- Would you let go of addictions and spend your last year clean and sober?
- Would you overindulge, figuring, ‘what the heck?’
- Would you eat more healthfully or dive into decadent delights?
- Would you tie up loose ends and take care of unfinished business?
- Would you read old journals and re-visit the you that you were once upon a time?
- Would you throw caution to the wind and take emotional bungie jumping risks?
- Would you dare to ask for what you want in your relationships?
- Would you be willing to receive what you have asked for?
- Would you live each moment full out?
Choosing to Live With Meaning
A line from the Tracy Chapman song called At This Point In My Life, is “to live as if only love matters.” Are you willing to do that?
If you’re navigating chronic illness and longing to live more intentionally, chronic illness counseling can help you reconnect with meaning, purpose, and emotional strength.
