Post by ZandraJoi on May 11, 2020 9:34:14 GMT -5
I get a variety of newsletters, one is Dr. Ben Kim (chiro in Canada). I liked this one from Feb.
"Over the weekend, I stumbled upon the following thought: What if we could see everyone's date of death in an imaginary bubble above their head? How would knowing the day that people will die impact the way we see and treat them? Take a moment to think about the people around you, those you know best. Are you consistently treating them as you would if you knew the precise day when they will be gone? The reality is that if we are enormously blessed, we have about 30,000 days to spend on this planet. How conscious are we of the brevity of our lifespan as we go about each day? My grandmother was a special role model for me in living mindfully. About two years ago, she was relatively healthy at 91 years of age when she was tragically hit by a car while going for a walk. She died of internal injuries within 24 hours. When my aunt went through my grandmother's room, she found a small closet of clothes, her wedding ring, and a worn satchel that contained four handwritten letters, one for each of her surviving children. Incredibly, not knowing when she would pass on, she was that mindful of not wanting to be a burden to her children and grandchildren - she lived as though she could go at any moment. What would you change about your approach to life if you knew your own date of expiration and that of those around you? I know some people don't like thinking of such things, even labeling such talk as depressing. For me, being mindful of the reality that any of us could go at any moment feeds my gratitude for all of the blessings around me. Being connected to the brevity of life guides my decision making, especially how I use my time. Of course there is power and wisdom in having good habits and working toward long term goals that we consider worthwhile. But as Achilles reminds us, everything is more beautiful because our days are numbered. Let's remember this, especially in how we treat others.
Let's make those closest to us feel deeply loved for who they are, and let's do this through our actions, not just through words. Let's not leave anyone with that sickening feeling of being seen only as a source of personal gain, be it financial or social. Let's look to see how we can best be helpful to those who most need our support. Let's develop our listening and understanding skills, and let's nurture a genuine desire to help others feel understood. Let's remember to show heartfelt thanks for every act of kindness that comes our way, even through a friendly wave to another driver who signals for us to go first."
"Over the weekend, I stumbled upon the following thought: What if we could see everyone's date of death in an imaginary bubble above their head? How would knowing the day that people will die impact the way we see and treat them? Take a moment to think about the people around you, those you know best. Are you consistently treating them as you would if you knew the precise day when they will be gone? The reality is that if we are enormously blessed, we have about 30,000 days to spend on this planet. How conscious are we of the brevity of our lifespan as we go about each day? My grandmother was a special role model for me in living mindfully. About two years ago, she was relatively healthy at 91 years of age when she was tragically hit by a car while going for a walk. She died of internal injuries within 24 hours. When my aunt went through my grandmother's room, she found a small closet of clothes, her wedding ring, and a worn satchel that contained four handwritten letters, one for each of her surviving children. Incredibly, not knowing when she would pass on, she was that mindful of not wanting to be a burden to her children and grandchildren - she lived as though she could go at any moment. What would you change about your approach to life if you knew your own date of expiration and that of those around you? I know some people don't like thinking of such things, even labeling such talk as depressing. For me, being mindful of the reality that any of us could go at any moment feeds my gratitude for all of the blessings around me. Being connected to the brevity of life guides my decision making, especially how I use my time. Of course there is power and wisdom in having good habits and working toward long term goals that we consider worthwhile. But as Achilles reminds us, everything is more beautiful because our days are numbered. Let's remember this, especially in how we treat others.
Let's make those closest to us feel deeply loved for who they are, and let's do this through our actions, not just through words. Let's not leave anyone with that sickening feeling of being seen only as a source of personal gain, be it financial or social. Let's look to see how we can best be helpful to those who most need our support. Let's develop our listening and understanding skills, and let's nurture a genuine desire to help others feel understood. Let's remember to show heartfelt thanks for every act of kindness that comes our way, even through a friendly wave to another driver who signals for us to go first."