Consider a smoker. You may believe living life to the fullest implies giving up smoking because your view is that living longer is better. However, a smoker may believe living less time but enjoying his cigarettes is more meaningful, more desirable. A smilar case may be made by a drug addict, alcoholic or someone with addictions you do not share. Human beings disagree as to whether living longer is more important than living as they would choose. Yet, it is free will that defines us as creatures in the physical world. As we become more aware of how we think and what our minds are actually trying to teach us, we realize different levels of awareness are in motion simultaneously and we do not know our whole selves as well as we thought.

By writing this post I really wanted to invite some thoughts into people’s lives that living to the fullest or as if it is your last day is NOT about recklessness but about appreciating and enjoying more whatever is right there in front of you and for you that was beautiful…your kids, your spouse, etc.

And that is just that – there is such immense joy in being here right now and contributing in whatever way we choose as that is so extremely fulfilling and meaningful to our life.

You have obviously picked up a lot of life experience and wisdom throughout your years and it is a pleasure to interact with someone like you.

Thank you for caring and contributing to the greater good!

I called my husband at work just about an hour before closing and asked him to please come home to spend this last hour of his working day with me. I had almost convinced myself that this really was my last day, as a hugh storm was brewing, and very unusual things had happened that day. I convinced him to come home, but he did it very grudgingly. He, a hard-working, practical electrical engineer, and usually loving husband, thought I had fully lost my mind. Some people just can’t let their imagination wonder from the busy, materialistic, practical worldiness of the work day jungle, and it may be a good thing that some people can keep us imaginative people grounded.

Well, the world didn’t come to an end that day about 25 years ago. However, it will end someday. One day, it will be the last day of our lives. Will we be able to leave a legacy of love and fulfilment of our dreams to our children and grandchildren, and to all the other friends and acquaintances we come in contact with?

There are so many worthwhile projects to be done. There are too many exciting things to live for and to do, that I dare not waste any more time worrying about whether this is my last day or not. What I think about now is that here I am, a 70 year-old woman–my mother is still living at 98–and my 18 year-old grandson, Jeffrey, who was a wonderful boy, full of potential, and highly gifted in music and had earned a music scholarship in a local University, was on his way to classes only two weeks into the school year on September 11, 2007 (last Year) and a reckless teenager was on his way home from a class, and he passed three cars in a driving rain storm. Jeffrey was cleared of all wrong doing, but he was dead on arrival at the local hospital. That was Jeffrey’s last day on this earth. I wish I could have been there for him, but it wasn’t to be. If I did not have the faith to believe that there is life after death, and that he was carried to heaven in the arms of the angels to JESUS, I would not find my life worth the living, because the struggle has been great. However, I do believe that I will see him again, and be with him in eternal bliss. Yet, while I live and have breath, I know that there is work to be done to help others to know and to believe. There is still joy in living and working and caring about other people, even those like you, who are not in my local area, and like my children, may live in another world view.

I would welcome comments.

Ruby

I was smiling to myself as I read your comment as I fully share in your understanding of the importance and power of the moment of NOW.

I think living each day as if it’s the last day is the ONLY way to live. I think an even better way is to live every day as if it’s YOUR FIRST DAY and YOUR LAST DAY. This way you don’t know anything from the past and there is nothing from the future, and so you are entirely present in the NOW.

Our being craves to contribute and create – the secret then is to find what is it that I want to contribute to and create that I will also get paid for.

Uh… no. If a person knew with certainty that today would be his or her last, there would be no rational reason to invest in the future at all. If I knew I’d die tomorrow, I wouldn’t start learning a new language, I wouldn’t save money, and I wouldn’t start any projects.

The proper “I’m dying today” strategy would be to spend every last cent you own or can borrow, splurge on anything I want, and go out in an orgy of sex, drugs and loud music. This stuff about “creating and contributing” pales in comparison with the pleasures of the flesh… as long as we’re talking about a single-day time-frame.

Q.E.D.

Susie as you already know I totally embrace the idea of embracing what is in front of us. So often people are so unsatisfied with what is in front of them but they do little to change it and hence feel all would be different if it really were their last day. But living this way I feel life passes us by like a blur and often without much meaning. Your questions are also so good to think about. Thank you for sharing the story about your friend and giving us all such a beautiful idea of appreciating others today in the now :)

Tomas – your story is very touching and I totally understand your comment – you seem to be an example of a person who truly lives to the fullest and of course not by society’s definition but by your own. I feel one knows they are living to the fullest when they DO NOT HAVE much if anything to change from what they are already doing right now. Tomas also always remember you are only needless if you choose to see yourself that way – simply by contributing this comment you have made yourself a very valuable and needed part of this universe and I truly feel honored that my blog was one that you commented your wisdom on.

Thank you both again for the amazing flow of energy I got from our connection together.

Yes, your questions inspire. Awaken the thoughts what could be otherwise, and the topic allows to depict the wonderland …