I have heard the idea in millions of ways: Live as if you were dying. The idea means that I should do things today instead of putting them off for tomorrow because I don’t know when I am going to die. I should seize the day. I should smell the flowers. I should be adventurous. I should take risks, live my best life, and live a full life. I totally agree with this philosophy and want to live my life this way.
This morning, I just spent a little time in a nursing home and rehab facility over the last two days. The same phrase has a different meaning. I realized that all the decisions I am making right now in my everyday life, what I eat, how I exercise, how much I move, etc. are all going to determine how I die in old age. Sure, I don’t know how I am going to die. My life could be cut short by any number of health issues or accidents, but I can still plan for old age. It just seems so strange that so many people plan for retirement. They put away money so that they can be comfortable in their golden years, but they don’t seem to put any thought into their bodies and minds for those golden years. They just accept the idea that the body and mind will deteriorate in those golden years. It is part of the cycle of life, but if you live like you are dying, then there’s a reason to take care of the mind and body. The decisions I make now determine the path of my life and they will determine where my path ends. I shape my own reality means that maybe I will shape my own end.
I don’t know what’s coming. Maybe it will be fast or slow. Maybe it will be an accident or a long illness. It could come with old age. It really doesn’t matter. All I know is that my life matters now. I want to do all I can to be a being of love and part of that is showing love towards myself, my body, and my mind. I hope that is reflected in myself all the days of my life. When my end does come, I hope that God give me a moment of peace. And maybe, I don’t need to hope because I pray everyday for His peace to be in all of our hearts.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
