Reading one of my favorite blogs this morning, I’ve been ruminating on #1 in a recent post entitled 4 Harsh Truths That Will Make You A Better Person. The entire post is a good read, of course, but I’m a big procrastinator and so I have a special relationship with deadlines. They get me moving like nobody’s business. That movement often comes at the last minute, but I’m more prone to get the job done if given a hard end-date to work with.
Here’s What I’d Do With 30 Final Days
So, thinking about being given precisely 30 days to live, I’ve been thinking about what I’d do with each day. First, I’d make triple certain that all of my financial affairs are in order and I’d plan my own memorial services. I don’t want to be laid out cold in a casket for people to walk by for a final glance before a preacher and those who know me say a few kind words about me. None of that for me, please!
Let’s Par-tay!
My family already knows to do this after my demise, but if I had 30 days to actually plan it myself, I’d plan the best shindig for day 29! Music, good food, a little dancing, maybe a good card game and some dominoes… I’d basically want a good old fashioned house party to say goodbye to everyone. No tears of sadness, only those of joy because I’ve lived a blessed life.
We sent my favorite aunt out this way after she passed. No sad funeral. Instead, we got together with videos and photographs, her favorite music playlist, some of her oldest friends and our family and we just partied in her honor. Plenty of soul food and liquor were on deck and we just enjoyed all of the crazy stories about her life. At some point, we stopped and had a few tearful words, but we laughed just as much as we cried. I know she loved it!
Time Well Spent
I’d also want to spend a few days solo with my husband, my son, my daughter-in-love, my mom, each of my grandchildren and a few other loved ones. We don’t have to go anywhere or do anything special, but I’d just like one-on-one time to share my heart with them and, of course, group time every couple of days just to come together and fellowship over good food and conversation. Basically, the same things we do now, just more intense, purposeful face-to-face time to really appreciate the love we share.
Still Contemplating
There’s more that I’d do in this time span, like visit Ghana and visit friends in Kenya one last time. But I’m still thinking about it all and these are just a few of the things that immediately come to mind.
Tomorrow Isn’t Promised
For some, this thought exercise may seem a bit morbid. For me, though, it has inspired me to work on a little estate planning I need to tighten up on now as opposed to later. It also pleases me to discover that– for the most part– it would make me happy to do more of the things I already get to do on a pretty regular basis, like spend time with family and just appreciate each day as it comes. Yeah, I have a bucket list of things I’d like to do, but very few of the things on that list are so pressing that I’d be disappointed on day 29 or 30 if I didn’t get do them (visiting Ghana is one of my only MUST DOs).
What Does Your 30-Day Deadline Look Like?
What would you do if you knew for an absolute fact you only had 30 days left on earth? Is there anything you’d feel you missed out on if you didn’t get it done by the deadline? Think about it and let the exercise motivate you to do today those pressing things you’ve been putting off for too long.
I’d love to hear what’s on your mind, so please comment below or hit me on Twitter or Instagram at @LaLaLivesOnline anytime you want to share!
