What would you do differently if you knew

[for_eternity]

If you knew you only had two years left to live… Would you change anything about your life now? What would you see as more important? Less important? Or do you think your doing everything the same way you would if you knew

A little over a year ago a woman I didnt’ know came up to me in the park and started talking to me about some really personal stuff. She got me thinking about how I shouldn’t take life for granted, because you never know how long you have left.

I’ve changed a lot from this strangers 5 minute conversation with me, but still catch myself at times not having my priorities straight.

Just wondering what others thought…

 

[wcknight]

Well, I almost met my Maker last January (heart attack -two stents placed -90% to 100 blockage in one artery.) not that I felt like I was close to death, but I knew IF I was not lucky, I could have been a goner. I was a little worried, for my family and maybe not seeing them again and I felt I had a lot left to do before my time.
BUT I felt ready, if that was my time then it would be God’s will, then at least I was in the state of grace and that was all that mattered.

Since then, I haven’t changed much. I exercise a little more, although I should be more regular with it. I watch my diet more closely, but I’m not fanatical about it. There are some imperfections that I work on. I try to break some bad habits, try to be kinder to my family and friends. But I am basically the same person, I still pray, I still do volunteer work with the KC and at my parish.

IF I knew for certain, next week or next whatever would be it. I would probably try to spend more time with the family and friends, but I try to do that anyway. If it were a real certainty, I would probably give up some of my diversions, work, TV, hobbies, etc to be with the wife and kids more and to pray more.

 

[DaveBj]

“I’d go skyyyyyyyyyy-diving, I’d go … Rocky Mountain climbing,
I’d go two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu…”

Oh wait, that’s Tim’s song, not mine.

I’d sell off a bunch of stuff, simplify things somewhat. Talk less, listen more. Avoid sin. Pray more. Give more.

Notice that those are all things that I should be doing now, with (presumable) 20 years left to live.

DaveBj

 

[wcknight]

BTW

when you’re on the operating room thinking this pain is so intense, and the doctor tells you, you really are having a heart attack, the next few moments could be my last.

You try to remember everything you should do before you go, say a good act of contrition, leave everything in God’s hand. Be positive, have faith that God will answer your prayers.

And the stuff about pain radiating from your arms… that ain’t necessarily true… my pain was dead center of the chest… felt like a bad case of heart burn… which was what I originally thought it was…I felt similar pain 2 or 3 weeks earlier but that went away… this time it didn’t… it just got worse… then you start to think, a high percentage of the time the first symtom of a heart attack is death ! That’s pretty scary…! :bigyikes:

 

[Annunciata]

If I had only a year or two to live I really wouldn’t change much because I try to live as though each day would be my last…
I’d probably go some places I’ve never been…
I’d try to make sure that I’ve “righted all my wrongs”…

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Honestly, I feel like I have my priorities straight. There are a lot of things that I want to accomplish, and most of them will take longer than 1 or 2 years, so if I knew that I didn’t have that much time I’d probably focus on shorter-term goals. I don’t want to say I’m fine with where I’m at, but I’m happy with the road I’m on, the direction I’m going, and the progress I’m making to get there.