Just about eleven years ago, a friend got up as usual, took her shower, and then sat on the side of her bed. She told her husband, “I am feeling light headed.” She took two deep breaths and fell over, dead.
There was no time for her to call her daughter. There was no last kiss for her grandchildren. There was not even enough time to tell her husband goodbye, despite the fact that he was in the same room.
I look around my world today and ask myself how I would be leaving things for my family if my soul suddenly decided it was time to transition. I always have so many things awaiting my attention. It seems that there would never be a really good time to depart; at least if being “caught-up†was the determining criterion.
The death of a friend always reminds me of the temporal nature of our time together. Today, actually “this instant†is all we are guaranteed. This is why it is crucial that we fully embrace the gifts this moment offers.
I suppose it is impossible to say how I would choose to spend this day, if I really did know that it was my last. I must believe, however, that part of my plan would be to make certain all those I love know, beyond any doubt, how much they mean to me. Hopefully, my daily choices help me succeed in accomplishing this goal.
Whether we stay in this earth school for eighty more years or we leave tomorrow, it will all have been but a wink of an eye when we return to Spirit. Today I will witness everything which passes through my awareness as though I am observing it for the first time. I shall strive to emulate the marvel of a little child, awed by this miracle, which is Life. 
Today is only as precious as we choose to make it; only as sacred as we believe. It is my plan to love like there is no tomorrow. I am not exactly sure what that means, but it sure sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Just about eleven years ago, a friend got up as usual, took her shower, and then sat on the side of her bed. She told her husband, “I am feeling light headed.” She took two deep breaths and fell over, dead.
There was no time for her to call her daughter. There was no last kiss for her grandchildren. There was not even enough time to tell her husband goodbye, despite the fact that he was in the same room.
I look around my world today and ask myself how I would be leaving things for my family if my soul suddenly decided it was time to transition. I always have so many things awaiting my attention. It seems that there would never be a really good time to depart form; at least if having worldly affairs “caught-up†was the determining criteria.
The death of a friend always reminds me of the temporal nature of our time together. Today, actually “this instant†is all we are guaranteed. This is why it is crucial that we fully embrace the gifts this moment offers.
I suppose it is impossible to say how I would choose to spend this day, if I really did know that it was my last. I must believe, however, that part of my plan would be to make certain all those I love know, beyond any doubt, how much they mean to me. Hopefully, I have lived my life so that I have already succeeded in accomplishing this goal.
Whether we stay in this earth school for 100 more years or we leave tomorrow, it will all have been but a wink of an eye when we return to Spirit. Today I will witness everything which passes through my awareness as though I am observing it for the first time. I shall strive to emulate the marvel of a little child, awed by this miracle, which is Life.
Today is only as precious as we choose to make it; only as sacred as we believe.
Today it is my plan to love like there is no tomorrow. I am not exactly sure what that means, but it surely sounds fun, doesn’t it?
12 comments
Comment on link sent instead of whole article..etc…
I appreciate that you share, and it matters not how you send it out!! Keep it simple, fun and stress free!! Blessings to you!!
Thank you Sheryl. It is very nice to hear from you. I appreciate you.
There is no tomorrow, there is no future…Just the present moment, awareness… and the joy of experiencing it… while we can.
Thanks for sharing my friend!
PS I preferred the links
Thank you Alfonso. It is so nice to hear from you. I agree wholeheartedly with your comment. I appreciate you.
A poignant post, Elliott. It’s the connections that count in life, not the accumulations. Elliott, the formatting on this page is all messed up.
Thank you Jacqueline. I have undertaken the process, finally, to rebuild the site. My learning curve is like a hairpin turn so I do not know how long it will take me.
I appreciate you.
It is most difficult to stay “in the moment.” Each day, I give thanks for all the things with which I am blessed – at the same time, acknowledging that all these things could be gone in an instant, through death or natural disaster.
On occasion I have asked the universe for the great favor of having a warning shot across the bow, as it were, to give me a heads-up prior to loved ones making their transition. These requests were granted, with the bonus of having insight into death that has helped me to understand that it is part of life, and not to be feared.
Even so – I would not ask for this foreknowledge of my own time to die. I have tried to live following to the advice of my mother, which is to plan your life as if you will live forever, but live every day as if it were your last. There are a lot of Zen moments in between those two courses of action, which is where I try my best (and fail) to be present, but there is much more joy than if I had not tried. And I think that is why we are all at Earth school – to continuously try, and thereby learn.
Thank you for contributing your wisdom Patty.
I think your mother’s wise words are very profound.
I appreciate your contribution.
Elliott
thanks Elliott, I need to stay in today!!
The present moment is where all the creation,all the abundance in life is to ‘be’ experienced. Its in the noticing of the bird in flight,or the butterflies dance,or the sound and movement of the wind in the trees……. Its everywhere all the time. It is impossible to ‘stay present’ all the time,but when we do dwell there,we are rich beyond our wildest dreams and truly gifted…
A lovely piece Elliott,thank you…
Thank you Aaron. I agree with your observations. I appreciate your participation.
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the issues.
It was really informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Many thanks for sharing!