Five Months To Live

A reminder to be clear about what's important, and who's important, and to live life accordingly.

Table of Contents:

1. Baby Steps
2. Feature Article: FIVE MONTHS TO LIVE
3. Quotes
4. Recommended Resources: Living
5. Self-Care
6. Final Thoughts

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1. Baby Steps

If you found out today that you (or a loved one) had just five months
to live, what would you do differently? Whatever your answer, start
doing it now.

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2. Feature Article: FIVE MONTHS TO LIVE

I was all set to publish this week's newsletter. Or so I thought. Then
I was told that my wife's grandfather had died. As I thought about
the events that had transpired over the past five months, I realized that
Grandpa's passing brought with it one of life's most important lessons.

Grandpa was 83, and had certainly lived a long life. He was happily
married for over 60 years, and was blessed with wonderful children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He lived with diabetes for the
last 40 years of his life, but never let that stop him. He enjoyed golf,
travel, and woodcarving. Only within the last couple years did his
health prevent him from doing the things he loved most.

Right after Christmas, Grandpa's health began to decline rapidly.
He suffered a series of strokes. His speech became impaired, which
made communicating much more challenging. This was obviously
frustrating, as he fought to verbalize the thoughts that were still
very clear in his head.

It became evident that life would never be the same for Grandpa and,
indeed, that he would not live much longer. He held on, refusing to
let go, for five months. Finally, he declared that he had had enough,
that he was done fighting. Two days later, he was gone.

Although this is a sad time for those who knew Grandpa, what I think
about most, and the reason for writing this article, is what happened
between December and today. Everyone who knew about Grandpa's
condition seized the opportunity to enjoy time with Grandpa in his
last months. There was plenty of time for laughter, and tears. Time to
share stories, to relive memories.

Those who were close to Grandpa told him what a difference he
made in their lives. And Grandpa told them what it meant to have
them in his life. His passing brings a great sense of relief from the
suffering that he endured in the end, and an incredible peace and
comfort in knowing that no words were left unsaid.

Let Grandpa's death be a wake up call. This is a good time to rethink
your life, and to question your own future. It is a reminder to be clear
about what's important, and who's important, and to live life
accordingly. Here are some specific steps you can take:

1. Recognize the important relationships in your life. Take time
to tell the special people in your life how much they mean to you.
Start today, and send that message continually.

2. Examine your own values and priorities. Ask yourself this question:
"If I found out today that I (or a loved one) had just five months to
live, what would I do differently?" Whatever your answer, start
doing it now.

3. Share this lesson with others around you. It's a valuable lesson, and
one that many people miss until it's too late.

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3. Quotes

Life is a song--sing it.
Life is a game--play it.
Life is a challenge--meet it.
Life is a dream--realize it.
Life is a sacrifice--offer it.
Life is love--enjoy it.
Sai Baba

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we
wait so long to begin it.

Each happiness of yesterday is a memory for tomorrow.
George Webster Douglas

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.
G.K. Chesterton

See each morning as if it were the morning of the very first day;
treasure each day as if it were the evening of the very last day.

The stars are constantly shining, but often we do not see them
until the dark hours.
Earl Riney

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4. Recommended Resources: Living

Love: What Life is All About
by Leo Buscaglia

Leo Buscaglia is one of the great teachers of living and loving--full
of passion, charm, humor and wisdom. This book will convince you
that the road to a fuller, happier life is open to you, and it reveals
how every day can be enriched, enhanced and, most of all, enjoyed.
To order book, click here

Prescriptions for Living
by Bernie S. Siegel

Prescriptions is a storybook filled with parables, reflections and
personal anecdotes that illuminate the beauty, magic and truth in
our everyday lives. As Siegel reveals, hope and joy is everywhere
if we know where to look and how to see it.
To order book, click here

Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and
Rekindle the Spirit
edited by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen

Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers share this
treasury of collected stories that have touched the hearts of people
everywhere.
To order book, click here

Tuesdays With Morrie
by Mitch Album

This book chronicles the time together of a student and his former
teacher. Album rekindled his relationship with Morrie after learning
of his teacher's battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a touching
book, and one that you will want to revisit periodically, in order to
reinforce the powerful lesson that the story provides.
To order book, click here

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5. Self-Care

What is healthy, reduces stress and anxiety, and can be done while
stuck in traffic, standing in line at the grocery store, or waiting for
an appointment? Diaphragmatic breathing. These quick, focused
breathing exercises provide an opportunity to relax anyplace,
anytime. Here's one technique that you can use to relax immediately:

When you breathe diaphragmatically, either breathe in through
your nose and out through your mouth, or take a deep breath. Your
stomach should rise about an inch as you breathe in, then fall as you
breathe out.

Perform these deep breaths in the following ratio: Inhale for one,
hold for four, exhale for two. So if you inhale for 3 seconds, then
hold it for 12 seconds, then exhale for 6 seconds. Do ten breaths,
three times per day.

This relaxation exercise requires little time, and will contribute
greatly to your physical and emotional health. Try it today!

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6. Final Thoughts

Here's a quiz. See how you do.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for Best
Actor and Actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday.
Now, these are no second-rate achievers. They're the best in their
fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are
forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name a half dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? Here's the lesson: The people who make a difference in your
life aren't the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the
most awards. They're the ones who care.

When you have a chance, pass this on to people who've made a
difference in your life. I just did.

(Thanks to Marvin Demp for contributing this, and to Barry Demp
for passing it on).

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Thank you for reading the LifeExcellence Newsletter. Be
sure to take time this week to tell those close to you how
much you love them!
- Brian Bartes

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