What Would You Do If You Knew You Only Had A Week To Live?
This morning I read an article by John Canzano, sportswriter for the Oregonian, Portland’s daily newspaper. The article was an update to a Christmas day column he wrote about 24-year old Katie Shearer, who died Sunday after a lengthy battle with melanoma.
By the end of the article, tears were pouring down my face. Here was a young woman who was at peace with her death because she had already lived a full life. The lesson Katie shared is that we are all mortal. In fact, she had thought about having a tattoo with “Memento Mori” (remember you are mortal) lasered onto her wrist. Katie understood what life is about… evolving, learning, looking at life as the journey, rather than death as the destination; enjoying each moment that remained and living life to the fullest.
What would you do if you knew you had a week to live?
Most of us trudge through life looking more critically at what we haven’t accomplished than what we have, at what might not happen instead of what is happening right now. What a way to live life. I know, I’ve done it. Katie’s story reminded me that the present is really what it’s all about. Each moment is full of joy, if we embrace it. Instead, we regret the past and fear the future. In the meantime, we miss what’s happening right now.
If you knew in this moment that the next moment would be the end of your life, what would you do? Would you be worried about the economic uncertainty in the world? Would you treat people with more respect? Would you laugh until your ribs hurt? Would you revel in all you have done in your life? Would you by happy or sad? Would you just be in that moment?
What would you do with this moment if you knew you it was your last?
Why wait?
