What are you doing the rest of your life?
“How old is your little girl?” I ask. “She is 21 days old.” Parents of young ones always seem to answer in months or days. The miracle that brought the child into the world is still fresh and new, so we count it out carefully. What if we always thought that way? “How old is your son?” “He is 5,479 days old today. Just 365 more days and he will be driving!”
Think about it… the teenagers in your life that drive you up the wall have only been on the planet between 4,700 and 6,500 days. They are still puppies! Never mind that they look and occasionally act like adults. Thinking in days rather than years helps to put their age into perspective (and keeps YOUR sanity in check… trust me, parents, some day you will look back and laugh at all of this…) Those teenage “puppies” still have much to figure out.
And so do you. If you just passed your 40th birthday, you have been here 14,610 days. Doesn’t seem like much when you put it that way, especially compared to your 16-year old’s 5,844 days.
Yet, if you live to the expected 72.6 years… you will spend 27,813 days on this planet with the rest of us. How many of those days have you used up? What have you done with the ones you spent already? What now?
I’ve always marveled at how we humans seem to think we will live forever. We use up our resources, expecting them to miraculously replenish themselves. We spend our money and our time as though they are infinite. No matter how many Suze Orman’s we listen to, no matter how many times we watch the Discovery Channel about earth’s diminishing riches, we act like 5 year old’s in a mammoth Toy’s R Us store.
Well, it does no good to worry about the time or money that has passed. Harvest the riches of your experiences and use them wisely to create an incredible rest of your life. Find the lessons and learn from them. Acknowledge the wonder-full blessings that have come your way and celebrate them. Choose now to use the time you have left to be who you were called to be.
So, as the spring begins, make a list. What are your unfinished dreams? Where would you like to go? Who would you like to meet? What books do you want to read? What mountains do you want to climb? Create a dream list and give yourself permission to pursue it. If you knew you only had 5,000 days left, which item on your list would you choose first?
Then choose it. How long do you think you have?
Beth
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This post is in memory of my little brother Tim, who passed away last Thursday. He only got 17,345 days on the planet. Enjoy every one you have.
© 2003-2008 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All international rights reserved.
Jeanie – thanks. It IS hard to lose a sibling. My oldest brother pointed out at the memorial service that we kids have always thought of ourselves as “The Eight Terry Kids,” and now there are seven. It’s hard for a mother to bury her youngest son, too. So keep my mom in your prayers.
Just another reminder that this life is way shorter than any of us think. Good to get a reminder of our mortality from time to time. Enjoy your life! And thanks for making your List of Days in memory of Tim.
Hugs,
Beth
Beth – I am very sorry to hear about your little brother. My heart goes out to you! Much love to you. I am making my List of Days in memory of your brother.