Stop for a moment and really suck that one in.
Breath in and absorb every single word.
And now ask yourself – What would I do?
You might feel nervous , or perhaps even down right petrified — like shit what if it was true — what then ?
This my loves is a question so few of us dare to ask, because it challenges the very essence of our being , and asks us to look deeply into the nature of our reality.
This question pulls at my heart, because it came from my beautiful friend Magda, who died unexpectedly at 35 . She was a yogi , a bright soul and full of plans and ambition for a future that never came .
She posted this article on Facebook 2 weeks before she passed. Her powerful words say it all.
What would you do if you knew you only had one day left to live?
How would you spend that last day?
Worrying, scrolling through Facebook, arguing, having meaningless conversations, being angry? Trying to fix other people’s problems? Prove to them you are right?
Or doing everything you love, spending time with your loved ones, enjoying every moment?
What if you thought there was nothing, and you didn’t actually know anything – no God, no heaven, what would you do then? If you thought that it was only you, and everything was inside you all along?
Now whatever you would do then, is a pure reflection of what is inside you. If you would spend that last day running around and helping as many people as you could, giving them love, it’s because all there is inside you is pure love, you just can’t see it.
If you would spend that last day doing terrible things, seeking revenge, it’s because you have accumulated so much negativity and you simply don’t know what to do with it. It’s not your fault. You didn’t know any better.
If you would spend that last day preaching, it’s because you are committed to truth. So committed that you forgot what love means.
Everything on the outside is just a mirror. Whatever we see in others is what is inside us. And whatever is inside is just pure divinity which we cannot see yet. But we will, when we all realise that we are all one.
If you read this, see if you can spend tomorrow committing to love. Enjoying every moment, as much as you can. Doing things for yourself and for others. Just being happy. Nothing else. Giving and receiving love.
You never know how much time you have left. So enjoy every moment as if it was the last one.
Re-posted in remembrance of Maria Magdalene (Magda)
Rest in Power xxx
Great way to honor your friend. It also reminded me to focus on what truly is important. How would I spend my last day? It is today’s journal prompt. Thanks.
Would love to hear how that day looks for you Debi x
The lovely mantra to continually tell ourselves that there are no throw away days, no interactions that we can brush off or get over with. Owning and cherishing every day, keeping track of all of our blessings, knowing that for every day that we tuck behind us, the odds increase that the next day could be the last one. That’s not ominous, or threatening, it’s a challenge and a healthy reminder. Thank you for bringing this squarely into focus.
I love that. No throw away days. Always good to remember. Thank you Tom for connecting and sharing you thoughts
Dee, great question and wonderful article. I will answer with the first thought that came to my mind. I would spend that last day wrapped around my husband with my cats on my lap and die a happy person knowing a deceased loved-one would soon be there to take me HOME. Sharing.
I’m with you Thats also my ideal way to go – a bit like in the movie The Notebook x thank you for sharing
Dee, I love this article! There is obviously no right or wrong answer to your question but it is still so hard to answer. If I knew (none of really ever know) this day or that day would be my last day of life I would probably just lay in bed and wait for G-d to call me. No need for revenge and certainly no time for regrets as the hour, minute or second approaches. Would I be scared? The minute I knew I would be terrified.
If it was my last day I think I would want to swim in the ocean, feel the wind in my hair, I would need to be out in nature until the last moment , and then I would return home and hold my children tight , and try not to be scared because I wouldn’t want them to see my fear
Dee, you have a very good perspective. I LOVE IT!
Wow… Dee, this is just beautiful and powerful and moving all rolled up into one piece! Thank you for sharing it. We can all get caught in the “irritation du jour.” Your piece is a good reminder to stay focused on what is important. Thank you!
Thank you for connecting Melissa. Death has been my main motivator to write my books and to be the best I can be in this world because I have experienced so much sudden death of young people in my life – including 2 partners and my husband and his best friend – they we all only in their 40s – and all died suddenly – without warning and without illness. It forced me to confront the pure nature of reality and to see life in all its rawness. I would not be who i am today without these soul defining wake up calls.
What a lovely tribute and thoughtful essay! Thank you for this!?
Thank you Darlene
I hope my friends words can be of service to many
I live my life with no regrets. I love my family and my Dogs and Cats. You don’t prepare for death you embrace life and when death comes it will not be a dark thing. It will be the ones that went before me and they have prepared a place for me. We are born walking toward the light and we must make the journey a life well spent. Great Article, strong Ink with a dash of eternity.
Larry – I love the dash of eternity
Makes my heart smile
Thank you for connecting
Death is the mother of all fear, shared by every creature, the cause of the survival instinct, the most ancient program that still today dwells in the most primitive part of ourselves. Therefore they educate us to look to the future, they teach us that life is studying, engaging and competing, looking for a job, putting up a home and a family, having children, raising and educating them, and enjoying retirement. Until the end, a long life is inevitable, but far away, a lifetime away.
Yet we are intelligent and aware beings, we know that everything that has a beginning also has an end, we know that it is not said that death comes at the end of a long life, indeed it could be tomorrow, even today. We should also plan our lives in relation to this, and yet we do not, we live by pretending that we will live forever, or for centuries, or until old age. Let’s pretend that death is an accident or an event to be treated in the third or fourth age, when the decline of our body and our mind puts us in front of the imminent “destiny”.
I’m not sure what I would do also because I can’t imagine what kind of emotions you can try. Perhaps I would spend the last moments talking with my parents, thanking them for the life I spent with them and recommending them to remain united, always.
I just want to add that, precisely because that moment can come suddenly (and it is always better than suffering for us and our loved ones for a long time) we must remember that life is ours, it is the gift we have received, the time we have been granted , a finite time that is priceless. So why do we often waste it? Why don’t we manage it sparingly and don’t spend it on the things that really matter to us?
I don’t know why we forget the gift
But I do know that when we take the time to remember the little things we feel better for it
So thank you again for your beautiful words Aldo
And I have a beautiful imagine of your parents together
it makes my heart smile
Thank you for reading and commenting.
What a beautiful and powerful question your friend asked, Dee! We must have been aligning our hearts because my latest article on BizCatalyst360 is about this very topic of death as the best teacher of how we can live our lives! I am with you in love, with love, for love. We are here to love and generously give this love away from the core of our beings. I’m grateful to have arrived at a time in my life that I’ve named the Bonus Round of Being Alive because I’m intensely awake and aware of the fragility of life; I know not to sweat the small stuff and to savor every single moment as best I can in being alive. Thank you for this wonderful reminder and article! Welcome to Biz Catalyst 360!
Laura its as if her soul knew she was about to pass on, but the girl inside didn’t – but I’m truly grateful for her words because as she rises so do I
Thank you for you love and support
Congratulations Dee! A fantastic start. I look forward to many more.
Thank you John
Currently, I am reading a wonderful book on “The Preparation for Death” by a wonderful Saint, St Alphonsus Liguori. The title of the book may put some people off, and those not familiar with the Saints in the Catholic Church may have no interest, but I would highly recommend it. I wasn’t sure what the contents would be about but I soon found I could hardly put it down. It speaks of the joy and happiness thal all souls need to look forward to when they pass from this life to the next. Like you and those who have responded about losing significant people in their lives, my mother at 43, my father at 59, my older sister at 65, my older brother at 68 and my younger brother at 50, I know they were not aware of the beauty that awaits them. No one is ready for the day or the hour when it comes, but those of us who have that little time to prepare, to be with those we love who love us, and those who pray with us, its a grace given by God. It’s a great book and hopefully some will read it. This was a touching and heartfelt article as that one before. So what I would do if I knew I only had one more day? I would look to the beauty of Heaven.
I share many of these considerations!
Thank you so much for sharing your book recommendation and thoughts Lynn. I feel humanity is finally awakening to the realisation that heaven is very much part of who we are , and through kindness to ourselves and others we can find heaven in life as in death .
Dee, this is such a moving story and such a tender way to remember your friend. I am sorry for your loss and wish you only comfort in the memories and peace within your heart.
Indeed this is a topic that, for many, is uncomfortable to think about or to discuss. I remember when my husband was diagnosed with Cancer several years ago. It was such an emotional and scary time. Thankfully, he beat it, but I remember thinking, “what if?” Then, I think about my mom, who died suddenly five years ago. She was in her early 80s and had lived a good life, but I’ll never forget that last conversation and thinking that there would be tomorrow.
I’ve lost some significant people in my life these past few years, so this question hits home. It’s part of the reason I started writing. There is no promise of tomorrow, so grab hold of today. I believe it’s the moments that count, and I try my best to embrace them.
Thank you for sharing this loving tribute to your friend. I wish you all the best.
Dee — Thank you for putting the provocative question at our feet. As a senior citizen, it is something I think about often. It has changed some of my behaviors.
And thank you, Laura, for turning the question around so that we focus on the others in our lives. “What if I were to lose you tomorrow?” Leave nothing unsaid….undone….
Thank you both for being part of the conversation
Laura – There is no promise of tomorrow – that is for sure
And Jeff – leave nothing unsaid – invites total honesty and vulnerability – I love this too
So thank you for giving me such strength in these messages