I Am Not Dead…Yet
I am going to die someday. I am just hoping that day is not anytime soon.
I do want to thank all of you who were concerned about my death and took the time to check out the conversation from August 1 to see what day I was going to die. The blog became one of the highest opened emails (64.18%) and most clicked (32.84%). I love the tracking features of email. Yes, I know who you are. But please don’t get weirded out, I will not tell anyone.
Now, let’s get back to death. OK, now you can be weirded out.
On June 12 of 2005 Steve Jobs delivered one of the most memorable commencement speeches at Stanford University. He announced to the crowd that “death is very likely the single best invention in life.” He went on to explain his statement by asking the question “ if today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?”
My friends, death teaches us how to live better. Not just Job’s opinion.
Nobody in history has been more attuned to the power of death than the Stoics. They used thoughts of death as a tool to improve their outlook on life.
In his essay “On the Shortness of Life” Seneca wrote “Life is short, use your time wisely. Live each day with a sense of urgency and ask if we are focused on what is truly important. Prioritize being your highest self, your time is a precious commodity.” The stoic words memento mori was emblazoned on coins they often carried, a reminder of immortality and to never lose their zest for life. And Marcus Aurelius stated it clearly when he said “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do, say and think.”
Flash forward 2000 years and we find Tim McGraw singing his big hit- Live Like You Were Dyeing.
Someday I hope you get a chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
Research from Laura Carstensen at Stanford University shows that as people age and perceive their time as more limited, they focus less on acquiring things and more on emotionally meaningful experiences. Grandparents don’t want the latest iPhone. They want you to come for Sunday dinner.” Let’s remind ourselves we are now the grandparents in the scenario.
As Woody Allen once said “I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”But until then we are miraculously “not dead yet”. Every sunrise is an invitation to live with more urgency, more kindness and maybe even more fun. Each day is a gift.
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Enjoy your day, Enjoy your gift.
Just a little extra-
In the same speech at Stanford, Steve Jobs said “If you live each day as if it were your last, one day you will certainly be right.”
His last words “Oh Wow.” He repeated it three times.
Steve Jobs was right. Death is the ultimate life coach.
References