You know that saying Live each day as if it were your last? Well, do you actually agree with it or dismiss it as some unrealistic nonsense? Do you adhere to its advice and strive each day to achieve just that?
It often appears that people get the true meaning of that saying when they are diagnosed with some terminal illness. Although some not even then. But should we embrace it? Is it a valuable piece of advice or is it going to lead us into bankruptcy or obesity or who knows what else?
So first I want to speak to those of you who may be reading this and thinking: “No way – not a realistic way for me to live.” My first question to you is naturally - why?
Is it a fear of letting go that prevents you from enjoying your life more each day? Are you bombarded by everyday stresses about kids, spouses, health and bills? Or do you think that way to live is just too carefree for a structured individual like yourself?
Well take yourself for a moment into a quiet place and think that it was truly YOUR LAST DAY or heck even last few days of your life here on Earth. What would you change about your life? How would you live and how would you interact with people? Think of all the things that you would say differently, do differently and feel differently…
Do you think you would be kinder and gentler? Maybe more easy going? Or would you finally tell those people who you believe made your life unpleasant what you really think? (Even though they really do not exist…we experience what we choose from others)
Now I ask you what is REALLY holding you back from doing that?
Many of us get so caught up each day with things we THINK matter like as I mentioned above, worry and stress over various aspects of our life. But if we find some stillness in our life, if we give ourselves a chance to really reflect on this, I am hoping one would see that worry or stress has never solved an issue or made it go away.
Yes you have to pay bills and probably go to work. You may have kids and since you have them, you should provide them with a safe and healthy environment, among other things. You may have a spouse and others to share your life with. But if we examine these types of everyday life tasks on a deeper level, I invite you to see them in a new light. Consider the following:
Try to see them as opportunities for expressing who you are, not as chores that fill each day…
Try to see them as gifts with which you get to know the physical world with, not as obstacles that hinder your existence…
And finally try to see every moment that becomes part of your life as the miracle that it truly is when viewed in the light of deeper awareness…
Too positive? For some perhaps. But again if you are looking for a more fulfilled way to live, for a happier and more vibrant way to exist, I simply ask you to try seeing life in this way and watching what happens. You may be amazed!
Most importantly I am not saying that this way of thinking and looking at life is easy, it isn’t as long as you find excuses and offer up resistance. Once you drop those you can start truly enjoying Heaven on Earth.
Now for those of you who already try to live this way, are you getting what you want out of this experience?
If you find yourself satisfied, fulfilled and happy with where you are in your life and who you are right now, then you are probably in the right spot.
Some people however do live by the saying and take it completely out of context.
Living your life to the fullest or as if it were your last day on Earth DOES NOT MEAN to me:
- being reckless with anything (including overeating, drinking or indulging in any other reckless behaviour)
- being heartless with people’s views or emotions
- being frivolous with money and material possessions
- being self destructive in any way, shape or form
Perhaps many of us fear the line “Live each day as if it were your last” due to the fact that we associate the above behaviour with it. But I assure you it is not meant to be that way. I mean for some perhaps yes, after all who am I to give the official definition on this. But in a general sense for those who are looking for a deeper meaning, a greater satisfaction and a more fulfilled existance in this life, this should make sense.
For me “Living life to the fullest” means:
- Living in the moment of now
- Looking beyond material objects and material derived tasks
- It is not about paying the bills, but about saying thank you for the great services I receive
- It is not about cooking dinner, but about getting creative with the fruits of the Earth
- It is not about worrying about someone, but about connecting with them in the present moment
- It is not about treating a disease, but about living in a way to prevent it
- It is about connecting with your spirit, not just your physical body
And these are just a few of some of my examples…
To conclude, it may still seem unrealistic or unimaginable to live life each day to the fullest REGARDLESS of your circumstances, but we have to remember that ultimately the power of how we are going to live and experience the world is within each one of us. And no person or situation can ever take that away from you unless you let them.
So are you living life to the fullest according to your own definition? Take a moment (or a few) in your life to reflect what this means to you, and how you are living according to your own definition.