Life – Terror. Ecstasy. Fight. Denial. Flight. Failure. PAIN. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Peace – Death.
I recently read a blog by a young woman, Holly Butcher, who has now died aged 27 from cancer. She was offering her ‘final piece of life advice’ — written the day before she died. It caused me to reflect (again) upon what advise I might offer, faced with my own, inevitable, cancer death.
I have considered my death many times since a, no cure, cancer diagnosis. It kind of goes with the territory. The moment I was told is burned into my heart, I remember feeling more alive than I have ever felt and also more alone than I have ever felt at the same time.
I agree with the majority of Holly’s advice, however, as a 66 year old, who has ‘lived’, my perspective (56 at the time of diagnosis), cannot be compatible with a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. I have used Holly’s “advice” as my own blueprint.
It’s a strange thing — knowing you’re going to die.
At 56, with two adult children (but no grandchildren) I still had so much more life to live.
I thought I had time…we all think we have time?
Cancer doesn’t care about time or ‘plans’.
Now, I understand how fragile life is.
Every single day — it’s a gift, but never a guarantee.
I’m not writing this to scare anyone.
I’m writing to remind everyone, to really live.
Don’t wait until you are ‘dying’ to start to live.
Stop stressing over little things.
Be kind to others.
Be kind to yourself.
Travel.
Go outside.
Look at the sky.
Feel the sun.
Just be.
Spend less time chasing “stuff” — more time making memories.
Don’t skip moments with people you love.
Make moments with people you love and love you.
Laugh more. Laugh a lot.
Write a note.
Tell someone you love them.
Complain less.
Give more.
Helping others brings more joy than anything you can buy.
Be present.
Put your phone down.
Show up — really show up.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need a perfect life. Just follow what makes your heart light up.
Say no to what drains you.
Make changes when you need to.
Live your life well.
Live.
Thanks for reading.
#peace
Dying to Live 