There’s an outdated saying I take into consideration fairly a bit. It goes like this:

“The difficulty is, you suppose you might have time.”

The thought is one which routinely spurs me to motion and helps me prioritize my life. As a result of it’s true. Our priorities usually get misplaced particularly as a result of we predict now we have extra time than we really do.

It’s straightforward to neglect the worth of day by day—particularly in a world of fixed distraction.

What if we approached life every day totally dedicated to the truth that point is brief? That nothing lasts perpetually? And tomorrow is promised to nobody?

For instance, when you knew this was your final 12 months to dwell, how would you reside otherwise?

I don’t ask this query as a downer, however as a clarifying lens to give attention to what actually issues. Take a while to legitimately reply the query.

In our each day routine, it’s straightforward to get misplaced within the particulars and neglect the bigger image. Once we do, we spend time on and chase after issues that, within the grand scheme of issues, maintain little significance.

That’s the reason the query above could be so powerfully reframing and why our hearts and minds resonate with the query each time we hear it. It reshapes and refines our perspective virtually instantly.

So I believe it might be useful for every of us to ask ourselves the query once more at present.

If this had been your final 12 months to dwell, would you concern your self with materials possessions, or would you give attention to legacy, relationships, and significant experiences with those you’re keen on?

That is necessary as a result of the truth is that life does fly by. All the pieces can change within the blink of an eye fixed. Milestones come and go. Youngsters develop up. Folks transfer. Jobs and careers finish. Our our bodies decelerate. And earlier than we all know it, we’re all left questioning, “Have I lived nicely?”

My life will most likely not finish this 12 months. It’d, but it surely most likely received’t. However you recognize what’s going to finish? One of many best and most necessary seasons of my life. In two months, our youngest daughter will graduate highschool. In six months, each of my kids will now not dwell at house. And whereas I’ll all the time be their dad and Kim will all the time be their mother, parenting will look very completely different from right here on.

Even when I don’t die this 12 months, a season of my life will.

“The times are lengthy, however the years are brief,” as they prefer to say. And I’m left with solely the query, “Did I dwell it nicely?”

The query above, “In the event you knew this was your final 12 months to dwell, how would you reside otherwise?” is a powerfully necessary one which we should ask ourselves continuously. As a result of it may be more true than you suppose. And it all the time helps us refine our pursuits and passions.

If This Had been Your Final Yr, Would You…

Redo Your Counter tops?

Positive, maintaining with all of the altering tendencies could be enjoyable and redoing the kitchen would possibly increase the resale worth of your own home, however when you had just one 12 months to dwell, would the visible attraction of your own home to a possible future purchaser actually be the factor you wished to spend your money and time on?

Purchase a Model New Automobile?

Perhaps you actually would wish a extra dependable automobile to get you thru your final 12 months. However in making that alternative, my guess is that you just’d discover nice reality in Harvey Mackay’s phrases, “In the event you can afford a flowery automobile, you can also make extra of an influence driving an strange one.”

Binge Watch One other Sequence on Netflix?

Time spent taking part in cell video games or binge-watching reveals would rapidly grow to be acknowledged as wasted time. You’d attempt to change these hours with wholesome dialog.

Spend Extra Time on the Workplace?

Arduous work is commendable, however when it robs us of our well being or time with household, it’s price reassessing our priorities.

Chase After the Newest Devices?

In a world the place expertise is consistently evolving, it’s tempting to chase after the newest gadget or tech growth. However when you had only one 12 months left to dwell, I’m wondering how a lot we’d pursue human connection and interplay as a substitute.

Obsess Over Social Media Standing?

Social media can eat huge quantities of our time. And it’s true that I’ve seen a number of folks submit on social media updating the ultimate weeks of a cherished one’s life, however I don’t recall any examples of individuals spending their last days on social media. One thing tells me there are extra necessary issues on the highest of thoughts.

Have interaction in Pointless Arguments?

Disagreements and conflicts are a part of life, however what number of of them actually matter? If we had only one 12 months to dwell, what number of of these conflicts could be considered as silly or petty? Particularly in comparison with unity, concord, love, and understanding.

Put Off Apologies or Reconciliations?

Understanding our time is restricted would underscore the significance of mending fences. Holding onto pleasure or resentment usually appears pointless when confronted with the finite nature of life.


Actually, it’s clever to think about the long-term. Saving for retirement, investing in profession and private development, caring for our well being, strategizing long-term are all good and worthwhile endeavors. I’m definitely not making an attempt to argue towards clever selections.

However the necessary reminder that life is brief ought to encourage us to dwell every day with intention. The unpredictable nature of life just isn’t a trigger for worry—it’s a name to motion.

So how can we reply? Effectively, it begins with small, intentional decisions. Eradicating our lives of distractions—whether or not they be bodily possessions, trivial leisure, pointless commitments, or the unquenchable pursuit of cash—frees up house and power to interact within the issues that really enrich our lives.

If this had been your final 12 months, you’ll possible prioritize relationships, pursue your passions, dedicate your self to exercise that brings that means, and provides generously by sharing your time, sources, and abilities with these you need to bless.

And people are all issues we are able to do day by day—no matter what number of days stay in our lives.