For pretty obvious reasons, I have found myself consumed with death these past few months. It is all I can write, think and read. This devotion is probably a form of therapy. Naturally, a light has been shined on my own mortality. I cannot help, but let go of my fear of death. Instead, I find myself embracing new mindsets and views. These thoughts have come on like a revolution.

Funerals are for the living. Celebrate life with me instead. Call it silly or selfish, but if you have wonderful things to say about me I would prefer to be around to hear it. In fact, I think this is the greatest gift anyone could ever give me. In my waning years, it would be an absolute joy to be surrounded by those lives I inspired or that impacted me.

Modern medicine and science has accomplished a great deal when it comes to extending our lives, but it has not improved the quality of our final years. At age 75, I will begin to focus on the quality of my life not the quantity. This means no chemo, no life support, no medicine meant to keep me alive. I want my final years to be lived outside of hospitals and clinics. I want to experience all that I can. 75 years is plenty of time to make the most of this life of mine.

A change is born here; let’s maximize the time we have together. As best we can, let’s focus. Let’s block out distractions. Let’s put our phones down. Let’s laugh, cry and experience all that we can. Let’s not look back in regret. Rather, let’s cherish the time we have while we still have it.

More than anything, let’s live beyond what we imagined. We are young. We are healthy. We have air in our lungs. Nothing is impossible. We are meant to conquer and live curiously. These things can only be grasped through experience. I plan on living every moment of every day to the fullest. Death taught me that. Life will continue the lesson.

Thanks for entering my world,

-Nathan