I had a friend who once said that if he ever lived to be 80
years old, he was going to start drinking, drugging, and have unprotected sex.
Over time, I’ve lost contact with that friend. I wonder if he made it to 80, never mind
carrying through with his desires.
I have another friend who is in his 40’s and has been
diagnosed with amyloidosis. This is a
life-threatening disease where his body is producing too much protein. His philosophy is quite different. He plans to live out the rest of his life, as
if he were dying, which he truly is.
He
travels as much as he can afford.
He’s writing a book.
He’s making friends
everywhere.
He has forgiven everyone
for whatever! Life is too short to hold
grudges.
He’s learning to play new
songs on his guitar.
Which philosophy will you choose to live in 2024?
Do you know there’s a song, written by Tim Nichols and sung by
Tim McGraw, entitled “Live Like You Were Dying?” The lyrics say it best:
*…when
it sank in
That this might really be
the real end
How’s it hit ya, when you
get that kind of news
Man what ya do
And he says
I went sky divin’
I went Rocky Mountain
climbin’
I went 2.7 seconds on a
bull named Fu Manchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’ve
been denying
And he said someday I hope
you get the chance
to live like you were dyin’
It seems to me that my friend who is a 80 year old wanna-be,
is very self-gratifying. He’ll be too drunk and drugged to enjoy anything. “Living like I’m going to die”, is the better
philosophy. And that’s my choice, I’m livin' deeper and
sweeter, like I’m dying tomorrow.
