The estimated life span of the average woman is 85.
These days, I’m not sure that’s good news or bad news.
I’m kind of excited that I am expected to live to 85, but worry how I will be able to work that long. I mean, at the rate things are going, I will surely be working until I die.
None of us know how long we will be here. I’m not completely convinced that’s a good thing. Not knowing our expiration date has a price.
Without a sense of urgency, so many of us spend way too much time holding grudges, plotting revenge, standing on principle or wasting endless hours in front of the TV.
Life is fragile and its unpredictability is beyond frightening.
So I have a simple question; would you live your life differently if you knew the day and time you would die?
I would.
If I knew I was on the short end of a clicking clock, I would make amends where amends needed to be made. I would bake from scratch, I would forgive, I would make love more often and I would hug longer. And I would travel.
Spain, Ireland, Italy and Australia will always be there. It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t.
That phrase “Where’s the fire?” comes to mind. I wish for you to have a fire in your life; a spark that triggers action, an urgency that calls out so strong that you have no choice but to live your life how you know you should and can.
If there is no fire of urgency in your life … light a match.
And then run like hell with wild abandon and live your glorious life.
I’ll be right behind you.
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur - Note to self:
Return to this post every year on my birthday for a big fat dose of inspiration and a reminder I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. 🙂
Happy blogging and enjoy the UBC ride!
Jenn - When my Dad was in the hospital…for a week before he was passing, everywhere I went this played:
An’ he said: “I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
“I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
“And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
“And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.”
An’ he said: “Some day, I hope you get the chance,
“To live like you were dyin’.”
He said “I was finally the husband,
“That most the time I wasn’t.
“An’ I became a friend a friend would like to have.
“And all of a sudden goin’ fishin’,
“Wasn’t such an imposition,
“And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.
“Well, I finally read the Good Book,
“And I took a good long hard look,
“At what I’d do if I could do it all again….
Maureen - Beautiful post from Jenn – I’ve never heard that before, what is it?
This is my favorite:
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other – body thoroughly used up and totally worn out, screaming: WOO HOO! What a ride!”
Thanks for the daily thought-provoking words Tammy!
Lee Lefton - Steve Jobs.
Israel next April. God willing and floods don’t come.
Everything you’ve said doesn’t simply strike a chord of urgency. It bangs a gong.
Now I simply have to choose to listen.
Not so simple. It means giving up a lot of habitual nonsense.
All of that aside, you are awesome.
Tammy - Melanie, LOVE your comment – thanks! I am always on the lookout for that random bus that is sure to run amok as soon as I step off the curb. You just never really know. So very happy to have you here! Thanks for posting!
Tammy - Jenn, I see I struck a chord. Hope it was a positive one. I’ve never heard this before – is it a song or a poem? Sure makes you think doesn’t it? I think you have a reader that wants more info about it. Check back to the comments. So, Jenn, what will you do with this one wonderful life of yours?
Tammy - Maureen, It was a crazy good post from Jenn. Your post is not too shabby either. I’ve heard this expression before- LOVE IT. Let that be our new creed. I have a favorite quote that you can check on the website sometime about meeting God and being able to tell him that you used everything He gave you. I hope so. Thanks for posting.
Tammy - Lee, so happy to bang your gong! I don’t think you have a problem in the listening department, I think you have a problem in the do-ing department. I’ve learned that it’s not enough to listen to your heart; you have to follow it. I think your heart is waiting for your courage to catch up. And YOU sir, are awesome too! Israel is on my list, hopefully sometime next year (if the creek don’t rise). I know you will have a spectacular time. So happy to have you here.
Jenn - Maureen,
The song is by Tim McGraw “Live Like You Were Dying”. You can find the official video on Youtube. I believe this song is associated with his father, who was diagnosed with cancer, and passed nine months later.
Tammy - Maureen, visit the comments section again. Jenn left you a message.
Anne Tichauer - Once again, you have hit us right on the spot! Life is short and in fact, right now, I am already making amends, baking from scratch and just loving, loving, my family, friends and even kinder to my “enemies”!
I don’t think I will live up to my 80s, and if I do, my hips will still be shaking – salsaing away!
Great article, Ms Tammy!
Tammy - Anne, you are way ahead of the rest of us. For those of us who have suffered a loss, it’s a lesson learned all too well. I always thought that when the hurt went away clarity would take its place. It doesn’t happen that way. We must always be courageous and vigilant against time wasted. We simply don’t have it to spare. Thank you, Anne, for being here.I believe you will outlive us all. Loved your post.
Cynthia - Tammy, tammy, tammy…..how timely is this blog…and you didn’t even know. And then you and I spoke this evening about my mother’s death just this morning…and on Yom Kippur nonetheless…You wrote. “estimated life span of a woman is 85”.Our mom was 4 weeks from being 95 and was pretty cognicent until about 85 or 86 when she began her repetative thoughts and speech..My sister and i held her and loved her to the end….She was “full of fire” as you described. XO
Tammy - Cynthia, words cannot describe how sorry I am for your moms passing. My heart goes out to you. Of course, I had no idea when writing this blog. I never met your mom but judging from you, my guess is she was a pretty spectacular woman. The apple never falls far from the tree. Life is temporary. How temporary … well, we just never know. Am sending lot’s of love your way. It is a new year for you, my friend. May your name be written in the Book of Life. Thank you for sharing.
Suerae Stein - My mother-in-law died in her 50s and I never even met her. From stories I’ve been told, I know she was an amazing woman full of life and love and a love of life. She didn’t know she would die young, but it wouldn’t have mattered to her. I believe she would’ve lived the exact same life she did and regretted nothing. If only we all had that spirit. What a heart-felt post, Tammy, I don’t know how you do it! Thank you,
Suerae
Jenn - Oh Cyndy,
I’m so sorry for you loss. I am thankful you had the time that you did, and that you were able to hold and love her till the end. Always thinking of you…always.
Jeffrey Davidson - I have always felt that if you save everything for that special occassion you will pass on before that special occassion occurs.
Consider the future but definitely enjoy likfe NOW!
Sue Cove - So sorry for your loss cynthia…..:(
Great blog Tammy…you are doing great stuff!
I will continue to light my match and run until my end.
but….I will try not to run too fast as I may fall and break my hip!
Cindy Maier - Oh yeah, I plan to keep on going and doing until the parts give out!!!!!!!!!!!