For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I konw I need to change something.
Remembering that I will be dead soon is the most important tool I have ever encountered to help me make the big choices in my life. Because almost everything--all external expections, all pride, all fear of embarrassment of failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is trutly important.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a sacn at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I did not even konw what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months.
My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try and tell your kids everything. You thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family.
It means to say your goodbyes.