When I first launched my book, a site called Inspire Me Today asked me to write an article answering the question: “If today were your last day on earth and you could share 500 words with people, what would you say?” My friend Jennifer Pastiloff is the kind of writer that will send a blog to me with a note saying “I just wrote this in 20 minutes, so I don’t know, what do you think?” And it’s the most amazing, poetic piece that seems like it must have taken hours if not days to craft and will have me in tears and change me forever! Me, no. I am not that kind of writer – I will take hours writing something people will think took 20 minutes — I’ll even agonize over a Facebook comment or Twitter posting! So what is interesting to me about this piece is that I distinctly remember that I was about to miss the deadline and slammed it out. And I re-read it the other day and I think that though I have much deeper insight into all of this, and have much more to say now — like SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH YOUR LOVED ONES and other epiphany-related insights I now share on here and in my talks, classes and new projects I’m developing — but with 500 words, this still pretty much stands…so here you go.
If today were my last day on earth and I could share 500 words with people, I would say…
If I can do it, you can do it — anyone can do it. And what I mean by “it” is “change / grow / heal.” If I can change and heal, anyone can. That may sound trite, but honestly, if you know me, you know it’s true. And I would say…
Know you are loved. Know you are magnificent. Know you are so very unique and special with unique talents and gifts to share with this world. I have come to believe through my Epiphany project that this is very true and is not arbitrary. Everyone has an interesting story to tell and wisdom to offer and special things to do in their lifetime. So many cliches I have learned are true. Don’t waste time like I have beating yourself up all the time and focusing on your flaws or weaknesses, and/or being around people who do it for you (unfortunately, sometimes even better than you). Focus on your strengths, your capacity for love, developing your mind and body and educate yourself, educate yourself, educate yourself – especially about your fears! The more education and knowledge you can gain about what scares you or any negative beliefs or fears that you’re holding on to that is driving you, the more power you have over it and over your life. It becomes something that might still be difficult but not scary once you have knowledge, understanding and awareness of it. And eventually, you can even transmute your fears into love…which is the goal.
In the area of epiphanies, since I have been studying them over the past couple of years, I would say always PAY ATTENTION, BE LISTENING – don’t let moments of revelation only come in moments of crisis when you are finally desperately ready to notice them! And when you have them, no matter how crazy they might seem or what anyone else may say or think, BELIEVE IN THEM AND IN YOURSELF. Epiphanies, moments of revelation, I have found are not random incidences and are unique to each individual even though they contain universal wisdom, so TAKE ACTION on them! Go for it, act, change, trust, and you will see…the world will absolutely conspire to support you and usually in the most serendipitous ways and when it does, be GRATEFUL and EXCITED about that SERENDIPITY in your life.
HAVE FUN, TAKE MOMENTS TO ENJOY LIFE – whatever that means to you. I believe we are here to get things done, to further our development, to help and serve others, to learn to love ourselves and others unconditionally and ENJOY this beautiful earth, these gorgeous, sensual bodies and have wonderful experiences. Having fun and enjoying ourselves is also part of growing into deeper human beings and is important to the human condition. All of us has different experiences, some much tougher than others, but none of us gets out of life unscathed to some degree — it’s how you handle those challenges and what you chose to do with your life circumstances that makes the difference of a life lived.
All of us, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, have the birthright to feel content, have fun and be loved along with everything else that goes on, so don’t lose sight of that and take the time to enjoy your senses once a day even if is just to stop to smell flowers for a minute. (See, another cliche! But they’re true!) Stopping and smelling the flowers or truly savoring your sips of coffee or really feeling the sun on your skin really can make all the difference in a day.
As a very wise woman once said to me, “Life is beautiful and it’s hard.” I love the simplicity of that and the absolute truth. Life is beautiful on so many levels but it can also be a very, very difficult ride, and it’s quick — so very quick. Find and develop your strengths and gifts, you will find they serve others and energize you in the process.
Believe in moments of revelation and believe in yourself. Take action in life. Love yourself and love and help others. Face and educate yourself about your fears, and what you will find more often or not is that they will not be fears any more. ENJOY YOURSELF – revel in being alive and in the gloriousness of this planet and what life has to offer.
So that is what I would say in 500 words (which is really more than 500 words…but it’s my blog and I’ll write more words if I want to (cue the “It’s My Party…” song), and you know what else I’d say if it were my last day here?
THANK YOU. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s been a great ride. I have experienced and remembered what it is to love deeply and freely and have been greatly loved — and that is what it’s all about anyway. At least for me. So thank you for the love and thank you to all of you who have been part of my ride, – including those of you reading this article right now! Adios.
That is what I’d say. And I might also add:
Act as if you could be facing your last day on earth quite soon and let your loved ones know how you feel about them! Don’t leave anything left unsaid that you would regret! All the: I love you’s, I’m sorry’s, I forgive you’s…try to deal with them as quickly and as completely as possible. And any projects or experiences you want to complete or attempt – plan and do them! Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed firsthand a few instances where it wasn’t done and I realized how incredibly important it is not to live with regrets and things left unsaid or undone or not attempted.
Okay. So that’s what I’d say.
What would you want to share if today were your last day on earth?
