Pretend this is the last day of your life.
Really believe it.
Then, walk around in your life.
Examine this life you have made.
Look closely at the rooms where you live,
The pictures on the walls,
The empty spaces.
Look in drawers at random, scattered objects.
Listen to what each object tells you.
See the images each possession makes in your mind.
Speak with each member of your family,
Each friend,
Knowing these will be the last words you say to them,
The last words you will hear them say,
The last time you hear their voices,
See their faces.
Take note of the finality of each action
As you travel through minutes,
Every task you will never repeat
As you travel through hours,
The end of everything as the day hurries by.
See all you will never see again
Before the sun sinks below the horizon
And darkness fills every corner.
Hear all you will never hear again
Before the moon travels across the sky
And consciousness recedes as you slip into sleep.
Breathe in the delicious air that fills you with life
As the sound of your breathing slows,
Then stops.
~ ~ ~
Awaken tomorrow,
Surprised to be alive,
Filled with joy as you move through sunlit rooms,
Hearing the outside world awaken and begin again
In hopeful imperfection.
Think of all the friends and family you love,
Who are still here,
With you,
Who is still here,
With them.
Yes, you are still alive,
In your life,
In this world.
Now, embrace the grandeur of the greatest gift of all,
Another day.
~ Russ Allison Loar
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