Life Lessons from Death

My friend Cindy Wolf died this week. She was an intelligent, funny, intense and kind woman. She was only 55 and I had the pleasure of knowing her for just a few years. I think I have lost an abnormal amount of family and friends to early deaths in my lifetime-father, sister, and many more later. But who knows… a friend just told me she went to a funeral last week for a 59 year old friend. My neighbor’s brother died at 57 last week. Death is all around us at all ages, so what we can be sure of is one never knows when their time is up.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about death and its untimeliness during my life. So here are a few things I’ve learned about how to LIVE as a result of my experiences with death…

~ Say yes to most everything. Unless it’s really crazy and that is subjective. Definitely say yes to      things more than saying no, especially your children.

~ Be adventurous. Don’t let age or health tell you not to.

~ Be curious. Don’t let your life long views or beliefs get in the way of seeing, experiencing or  understanding new ideas.

~ Be forgiving of a person, before that person dies. Since you don’t know when that is, just be  forgiving.

~ Work on your Inner Self. Heal your past hurts and wounds, now.

~ Use your gifts and talents to the fullest. Don’t waste time and frustration on things you think you’re  good at but are not, like fixing your own toilet or computer. Hire the specialist so they can use their  gifts and talents.

~ Be accepting of others. Believe we are all One. If you don’t believe it, read some books by the  indigenous elders or quantum science experts, or watch TV shows about finding your ancestors.

~ Be kind - to everyone.

~ Take breaks. Slow down. Breathe.