Kirsten at Indebted Mom posed an interesting challenge. It is for 31 days and it is to live like you are dying. Now you can’t actually do everything you would do if you were actually dying, because I have to plan as if I am not. But I am interested in seeing if this challenge will change my perspective on life.
So for the majority of this month, I will be doing short small posts such as this, kind of journaling what I think I would do if this month was my last month. So firstly, how would you expect to receive news that you are dying? Well I would imagine that getting a specific time line or something would come from a doctor. Now it would be sad at only age 27 to have a sentence of just 31 days… 744 hours… 44,640 minutes… and 2,678,400 seconds. Being it would be an appointment of some sort, I would expect that it would be later in the day, and I would already lost precious time in my remaining days. So how would I take the news? I am not sure… I can’t say for certain unless if it really happens. But I know I would be sad. I want more time to spend with my wife here, now. I suppose I am not scared of what will happen to me personally after death. Death itself doesn’t bring out fear in me, perhaps because I believe our souls are eternal – and that I have a choice as to where I spend eternity. Do you believe in eternity or do you believe these last days (in theory I hope, I don’t plan on getting hit by a bus or anything), would be my last days?
Photo Credit: dan/freedigitalphotos.net
As someone who worked in the funeral industry for many years, I suppose I have a slightly jaded view of “eternity” and the afterlife. I honestly don’t know at this point in my life. I do know that, if I had 31 days left, I would make them epic.
Hey Holly,
What do you think jaded your view? Just the amount of death or seeing various religions?
Interesting topic. If I had only 31 days left I would do my best to make them memorable for those around me. I have lost a brother and sister over the years and have to believe there is and afterlife.
Hi Brian,
I think it is key to spend time with those you love as well. It would be nice to do a last hooray and travel the world, but when I think about it would I be in too much of a rush top actually enjoy the time I would have left? That is a topic for another day this month :).
This is definitely an interesting topic. I would without a doubt make the 31 days count!
Definitely! But I think everyone’s definition of Epic or count is different. I think it all comes down to finding out how we truly value our time.
Well in the song “Live like you were dying” by Tim McGraw, you need to spend 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu.
In all seriousness, I think attempting something like climbing Mt Everest would be on the top of my list.
MDP
Ya know a bull ride would be interesting! I don’t have a real bucket list, maybe I will create one as a result of this challenge? Or listen at least listen to that song :), Tim is one of the better country singers.
We don’t often think about the end of our life, probably because it’s just too uncomfortable for us to consider. If I had just a little time left I’d spend it with family. I know this will sound odd to some but I’d be at peace knowing I’d lived a great life. And based on my faith in God, I’d know that something even greater awaited me in the afterlife.
I think there is more I can do in life before passing, but there is always more you can do. How often do we stop and look to see that perhaps we are satisfied? That said I want to spend more time volunteering. It is difficult to do so when working full time, but starting out with small steps.
I don’t know anyone that knows their timeline. Mine could be at lunch today, who knows. Can’t live in fear and can’t live like there are no consequences. But I can live a life of fulfillment and try to be happy in the midst of the challenges that are always present in life. You come in to life with nothing and take nothing with you so you might as well accomplish something in between and make yourself and someone else better.
A life of fulfillment is key – in fact I should be striving for that now. I hope the challenge will help me see what is truly fulfilling!
I love this song! I don’t know what I would do the next 31 days, but I will for sure spend reminiscing with family, friends and my dog. Maybe even travel somewhere with everyone.
Definitely with family, friends, and pets if you have them. Travel can be debatable, I don’t want to spend my last days running around and not pause and actually spend time with who matter. It would be great to combine things if possible, but would you really want something fast paced trying to see as much as you can before you die but miss out on just spending time with your loved ones?
This is a very interesting topic. Would love to see your thoughts over the next 31 days.
Thanks Tawcan! I hope that this brings some deeper insight in myself. We shall see!
I definitely believe in eternity. Like you, I’m a little sad, but not for me. I’m sad for my girls to grow up without their mom. Sad for the hubs to have to do it all alone. But I’ve caught myself (really getting into this) and being happy!
I would suppose having kids would definitely change your perspective during this challenge! I have one primary person to be concerned about, my wife, while you have three!
I think this is a very interesting topic and an excellent exercise. I would hope to see what is really important to me when believing time is short and then being able to make those things part of my life going forward. I look forward to hearing what you find doing this.
Thanks Tommy! I am a bit excited as well to see what changes I elect to make from this!
If I had a month left to live I would live my life to the fullest. Not really an ideal situation but Id make the best of it. Vegas all the way!!
Some people love partying, I have never been a big party goer so I don’t feel an urge to do so now.
I love the idea! Good luck! I’ll be following along for the ride and reading your posts!
Thanks Kalen! I enjoyed the long weekend without logging in once, it was nice!