Sunday, January 31, 2016

A year to live and nothing to lose

What would you do if you found out you only had a year to live? Why do we wait until the end is near to take shit serious? 

We take life and everything in it for granted. We have no idea if we have an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year or 20 left. We all assume we will live for ever. We live our lives under the assumption that there will be time later. I'll take care of it next week, we always say. What if next week never comes? Why not right now, or today?

We carry this mindset into every aspect of our lives. Whether it's work, love, family, religion and even health. Why does it take a final warning at work for people to step it up? If they had been working that hard all along, they wouldn't be in that situation. Why don't we realize what we have until it's almost gone. When your significant other gets sick and tired of years of neglect is when you want to pull out all the stops and make it all up in one romantic weekend. Stop telling your kids that you'll take them where they want, whether it's the park, a movie, or anything they are interested in, later or another day. Make time for your family now, while you and they are still here. 

Nobody has an expiration date, but please stop taking your health for granted. This especially goes out to my brothers. Why do we wait until things are dire to see a doctor. It's called preventative care for a reason. All those hours we work, combined with poor diet and bad habits will kill us if we don't get checked out regularly. Although time isn't guaranteed, you have a better chance of being around a long time if you are healthy. Stop playing with your life. 

Whether we have a day or a decade left, it's best that we get in good spiritual standing. Even if you don't believe in God, you gotta know that all your actions and thoughts directly impact the universe, Why not leave it better than when you found it. I'm not saying that you have to believe in my God, but go to your church of preference every once in a while or crack open your holy texts. Nothing your God can tell you will steer you wrong. It's all about interpretation, don't believe what people tell you, study for yourself and worship that way that suits you best, so when you arrive on the other side, you'll have something to talk about.

The long and short of this thing is, start living your life as if you had a year to live. Do the things that make you happy with the people you love most. Make a short term goal list and accomplish it. Go to church. Call someone you wronged and apologize. Find someone that wronged you and tell them how they made you feel and forgive them. Start a business. Travel. Get rich. Do anything you have to do today to have a better tomorrow. Don't assume there will be a later. Most of all, stop making fucking excuses! You will stop yourself before you have even begun. There will be obstacles, tackle them one at a time and keep moving.

At the end of the year, reflect on what you have done and start another 'year to live' list. 

Peace and Love

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