Al Humphreys posted some thoughts on what he would say if there was only 5 minutes left to live.
This post stuck in my mind and actually created a welcome thought diversion. I have also thought hard about if this should be posted here or kept private since it gives away more about how I think than I would normally share this openly but there are two factors – it seems only fair since Al posted his and well … I might not get a 5 minute warning !!!!
So what would I do ….
A 2 minute look back …
Probably about 30 seconds worth of apologies. Mainly to a small but significant number of people I hurt – never on purpose but my negligence and my lack of thought does not form an adequate excuse. In particular to anyone who made the mistake of trying to love me at a time my life was in total chaos. My marriage ended in the worst way possible and I accept my share of responsibility for that – I am truly sorry.
The next 90 seconds would be to say thank you. To family & friends for the good times, the adventures, the madness, the support, the understanding, the forgiveness (see above for why that one is important), for inspiration, for guidance and generally for a life less ordinary.
A 2 minute look forward …
With the benefit of death looming it would be good to remind folks (and my future self) to acknowledge the good as you go through life since 5 minutes at the end is not nearly enough, do what you enjoy since you will be good at it, challenge things that “feel” wrong since they probably are wrong if you feel that way about them, highlight that attitude far outweighs skills when it comes to living (skills can be learned), wasted time is the greatest waste of all, look after the world around you since good planets are hard to find, embrace challenge and adventure since it will help you sleep better at night.
The last 60 seconds …
Tell my daughter to smile when she sees mountains – since, if given a choice that is where my spirit will be. Reassure folks that a life with no regrets is a good one and that I will keep them a seat by the fire (that assumes I am wrong on the mountain spirit option). Remind someone that I want my ashes tipped from the top of Crowberry Tower on the Buachaille Etive Mor (windy day preferred).
And being Scottish …pour a last dram of the Usige Beathe, raise a toast the north wind, to absent friends then say “cheerio” !
thanks for sharing....and getting me thinking
ReplyDeleteNice thing about thinking about it ...it gives the opportunity to DO it before you have a 5 minute time constraint. Life is waaaaay too short.
ReplyDeletenot sure i could be as brave as you though and there are some things that can't be changed now...but i guess that's the point of thinking about it, to make sure you don't make similar mistakes. *should probably go to bed now ;)
ReplyDelete