How Many Sunsets Do I Have Left?
The sunset last night was beautiful.
There is something extraordinary about a sunset. The sky becomes natures canvas, painted with impossible shades of crimson, gold, orange, and deep blue. No photograph truly captures it. No painting can completely recreate it.
A sunset is only available to us in that moment.
As I watched the red glow fade beyond the horizon, another thought came to mind.
How many sunsets do I have left?
The average life expectancy for a male in the United States is 76.5 years. Doing the math, I have the opportunity to enjoy about 1,825 more sunsets in my life. Given the fact I live in Michigan, that number may be far fewer.
That thought stopped me.
To be clear, it is not my plan to die on schedule. I am living a very healthy life to far surpass the average. Well, at least that is the plan.
However, the truth is, we just don’t know.
But there is a different side to this story.
Time to flip the script, before I lose my entire audience.
In 2005, Steve Jobs delivered the commencement address at Stanford University. During his address, he said a few things about death. Having faced his own mortality, he had a few thoughts on the topic:
“Death is very likely the single best invention in life.”
This did not seem to make sense… until it did. He went on to say:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
He then proposed a question that may be one of the most important we could ask ourselves:
“If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?”
The idea echos throughout history and in popular culture. Tim McGraw captured it beautifully in his song released in 2004.
Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you are dying
Like tomorrow is a gift
Tomorrow is a gift.
According to statistics I have 1,825 gifts coming my way. Not to sound greedy, but I am hoping for many more.
I am not sure “live like you are dying” means chasing every thrill or checking off items on a bucket list.
Maybe it is much simpler.
Maybe it is taking a walk, calling a friend, laughing, telling people you love them, lingering over dinner or playing with grandchildren.
Or maybe it’s ending the day with the enjoyment of the sunset.
One day, one of those sunsets will be my last. I can live with that.
Because in the end, life is not measured by how many sunsets we are given.
It’s measured by how many we have taken the time to enjoy.
Enjoy your day, and your sunset.
Just a little extra-
Not today.
I have another sunset waiting for me.
References
Cole, Garry. February 2024. Are We Old Yet? (Yes, I used my book as a reference)