Originally published October 2008.
My friend Genny is hosting a thoughtful project this month, based on a book she read entitled, One Month to Live. Although I certainly won’t know when my 30 day clock will begin, it’s an interesting prospect to consider how I’d use my time.
In high school I made a “life list” and I’ve considered writing a reprise to that — all the destinations I’ve yet to travel, and the goals I’ve yet to achieve. But this project is quite different. With only 30 days, I find myself thinking more about what I wouldn’t do, than what I would do.
I wouldn’t
…go anywhere, see things or fill my life with adventure, like I would on a bucket list that I might take decades to cross off. I wouldn’t achieve, reach goals or buy things.
I wouldn’t watch the news, or listen to anyone who shared the negative side of it.
I wouldn’t answer the phone or sort my email inbox.
I wouldn’t resent, regret, worry, or feel obligated, angry or hurt.
I would
…pick and choose the small things that have brought me joy.
I’d live at the cabin, like we do in the summer.
I’d fill the freezer with filet mignon and shrimp, make fancy dinners with my daughter and bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch with my son.
I’d rise early and go to bed late, watch the sun illuminate the lake as I drank coffee with my husband, and watch it blaze red at dusk as we sipped Merlot.
I’d go for walks.
I’d toast marshmallows with my kids and ride bikes to Dairy Queen.
I’d blog every day, leaving my own “Last Lecture.”
I’d take pictures.
If friends and family visited, we’d talk and laugh, and share good news.
I wouldn’t talk about dying in 30 days.
And I’d thank God if he let my last 30 days be healthy ones.
What would you do with your time, if you knew you only had 30 days to live?
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10:09 pm
I’d visit everyone I loved, and tell them.
6:20 pm
This has been on my mind a lot lately. I actually have that book, sitting on my table in the family room. I’ve read bits and pieces. The idea is to tell others about Jesus with the way you live your life.
God and I have been having a conversation about how I deal with those who have a short time to live. I am not good at saying good bye. I find it easy to leave quickly, without spending too much time saying good bye. That’s how I want to die, too. And, I wish others would do the same. Just go. That is not the way God is working, however. “There are lessons to be learned,” is what He is saying.
So, I guess those last 30 days would be filled with trying to learn what God wants me to know before I depart.