Monday, August 3, 2009

Two Years to Live


My friend Cammie had some great advice when I whined to her about time pressure and discombobulated priorities. She asked, “If you knew you had only two years to live, how would you be spending your time?” My answer was immediate: “I would not be cleaning house!” Ahahahaha, forever looking for an excuse to retire from mopping and dusting…

What I would do, however, if I knew I only had two years left is: spend more time with my family, finish revising my first book, and seek to publish it. This little exercise helped me see where my heart lodged, and what means the most to me.

Your turn now. If you knew you only had two years to live, what would you do with those 104 weeks, 730 days, 15,330 hours?

18 comments:

  1. You're SO right. Although if we always lived like that, could you imagine how our houses would look?

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  2. Oooooo, I love a person who can use the word discombobulated! What a fun and happy sounding word! lol
    Hhhhmmmm, I would definitely take my family to Disney World (never been, neither have they). I would finish all my kid's photo albums and write them letters (and to their future spouses). I would worked super hard at getting my book published. And I would have parties at my house every Friday night. Wanna come?

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  3. I would spend all my time with my Heavenly Father and my family! If there were any time left I would write...write...write!
    Blessings and prayers, andrea

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  4. Soooo true. Food for thought when you are overwhelmed with the trivial things in life. I would come to your Friday night party! We could do a duet.

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  5. Sherrinda, I'll come!

    Oh, you know what, Jen, I was thinking of this not that long ago when I was questioning if writing was my calling once more. That question regularly pops up when one keeps writing with seemingly no accomplishments, you know?

    Okay, definitely more time concentrating on what matters to my family and helping them achieve their goals. I'd also write those letters to go with the will that I keep putting off because I'm not ready for a good cry yet. And I'd write His answer with as much zeal as I do now, but with less revisions to please everyone on earth rather than just Him. I'd also hire someone to do laundry and clean my house while I spend the time with my family.

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  6. I would definitely make sure that I know my Lord better! That way when I walk through the gates of paradise, I've just ended my last conversation with him! And then I'd make more of each of those family times. And like you, I'd strive to see my first book published! I'd look at it as a legacy that I can leave behind.

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  7. I think I would write anything and everything, not focusing on any one mss and leave them for my family. (Maybe one of them would finish it and publish it!)

    And if I only had two years I would NOT buy the house we're purchasing. Instead, I'd stay where I am and spend the money traveling with my hubby to visit our sibs (who live in Vegas and Germany).

    And I would eat pizza every day :)

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  8. Excellent question. I would spend as much time with my family as possible, finish the books I've started and try to figure out a financial way to quit my day job.

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  9. Hmmm, well I probably would keep cleaning!
    :-)This is a sad question for me because I hate the thought of someone else raising my children. I'd probably undertake a search for a mother for my kids. :-(

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  10. Then again, maybe I'm supposed to trust God to take care of that? LOL

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  11. Love these answers, you guys! And yes, I will be at the party-- shall I wear my Party Pants?
    jen

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  12. I would do similar things, like journal a lot, visit my new grandson as much as possible,and possibly try to get my last children's novel published.

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  13. When I was a therapist I would ask my patients what would they do if failure was not an option. One day I asked myself that question (cleaning never entered my mind either, funny) I immediately thought I would write a book. I'm still on my quest to accomplishing this dream but everyday now I pray God align my will with his and purify my desires. It has taken the edge off of not achieving my true goals as of yet. Thank you for a thought provoking post as always!

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  14. I would sell my house, pack up my stuff and move to live near my daughter and grandson. I would also overcome my fear of speaking and start telling others about the Lord and all he has done for me.

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  15. I'd burn the mop and sledgehammer the vacuum--whoo-hoo!! Sorry. Had to go there.

    I'd probably spend it much as I am now, except I'd want to see a few places before I die.

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  16. Jeanette:
    You have given me something to think about. I know what I wouldn't be doing- I wouldn't be fighting with anyone. I would be more focuses on writing and living for the Lord.

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  17. Oh yes! Definitely wear your Party Pants! I'll be dancing up a storm!

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  18. Had to come early to scope out the party scene. Wow, this is one hopping blog.

    Can't wait!
    Patti

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Oh, it's YOU! I'm so happy to see you here today, and look forward to reading your comments.