We’ve all heard the platitudes. “Life is too short.” “Live the dream.” “Carpe Diem, Sieze the Day.” But have you really thought about what that means?
One of my co-workers at my day job … a woman I’ve worked with for fourteen years … died on Saturday from a sudden heart attack. This a woman who’s held down two jobs for as long as I’ve known her, and who was planning on taking her first-ever cruise sometime next year, after her second grandson was born in March. I’m glad for her sake that her death was so quick, and that it happened while she was actually out with a friend, having fun, rather than sitting at her desk or behind the Quick Check counter, but still …
In honor of my co-worker Liz, ask yourself the following questions:
- What have you put off that you truly would love to do?
- Are you spending your days doing something you love? Or at least, not spending them doing something you hate?
- What goals do you have for “someday” that you could be doing now?
- Are you spending enough time with the people that you love?
And then, the next, most important question?
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I am very sorry to hear about your co-worker. That happened to a co-worker of my brothers and she died on the job, while he was there so it was very hard on everyone. 🙁 It is very good words to live be. Make sure everyone in your life always knows you love them.
I would like the record to show that I read this post after I wrote my mortality one so I guess there is just something in the air in Denville tonight making us all pensive.
Deb, that is a powerful way to honor your co-worker. They’re big questions, and the ones we shouldn’t put off answering… and then acting upon. Thank you.
Deb, That is a terrible sorry and I am very sorry. They say you should live every day as if it were your last, which is very wise but very hard to do.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..A Thanksgiving Thank You =-.
A terrible story, that is.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..A Thanksgiving Thank You =-.
@Hillary–I wrote a piece for our December company newsletter, too. This whole “no employees have died” trend was one we SO wanted to continue! We mutter about “life is too short” all the time, but we never really know HOW short. And, maybe the clouds the last few days have been bad for the optimists among us?
@Joanna–Big questions are usually the hardest ones to answer–but the ones that should be the most satisfying once you’ve addressed them.
@Brad–A terrible, sorry, story … it’s all true.
.-= –Deb´s last blog ..Are You Doing What You Love? =-.
Wow…this post is sad, yet it is challenging. Great questions! I’m so sorry about your co-worker, I can’t imagine. I think that would really shake me up, and start questioning like you are.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Sometimes you really need the outside incentive to stop and think about these things!
.-= –Deb´s last blog ..Are You Doing What You Love? =-.
These are challenging, life-defining questions–not just when someone dies but every day of every life. It’s so easy to ignore the shocking fact of mortality. Although I always feel wrenched off my moorings when someone in my circle dies, I’ve become oddly grateful for those moments when I’m forced to ask, “Why am I here? What’s it all about? And if I had never lived, what would be different?” If I thought I had forever to leave at least a small beautiful mark on the world, I’d just bumble along without leaving much of anything.
.-= Rona Maynard´s last blog ..My Mother – Chapelle Gray =-.
Deb, I’m so sorry for the loss of your co-worker. When we lose someone, I think it’s natural to reflect on life and reevaluate how we’re living. Hopefully, the silver lining is that we can grab life by the reigns as we get older and steer ourselves toward our most desirable pursuits. I know that’s what I try to do, and in some ways I do it in honor of those who are no longer with us.
.-= Melissa Donovan´s last blog ..Does Knowing Your Audience Result in Better Writing? =-.
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