Kicking the bucket

I’m dying. It’s a sobering thought.

Oh, I’m not dying today, nor tomorrow, nor the next day, at least as far as I know. I have nothing specifically wrong with me and I don’t know the specific date when I’m passing onto the next life, but I’m still dying. I don’t mean to diminish the health challenges that anyone else is facing and I’m not sharing anything that we don’t already know, we’re all facing a limited shelf life, but I’ve been thinking about time, specifically how much time I might have on Earth.

I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re all living on borrowed time. The minute we’re born, the clock starts ticking. Oh, yes, the average life expectancy in the United States is 76.4 years, a bit higher in the UK. We still have no guarantees. Some people live longer, some live shorter lives.

Looking in the mirror

When you put life and death in context, especially in those stark terms, I start to think about certain things. Of course I want my wife and kids to know how much I love them. I want my family and friends to know how much they mean to me. 

I think of God. My faith is important to me. I’ll leave it at that.

I think about my life. How did I use it? How did I help others? Did I love and care about others? Was I a good person?

Oh, this is a different kind of blog for me and, I’ll say it again, I don’t mean to diminish the health struggles that anyone else is going through, we all know people in our lives who are fighting desperate health battles. Saying all that, I think it’s healthy to take a step back and look at ourselves in the mirror and see where we are, see where we’re going.

Living life to the fullest

Yes, I know the number of days in my future are likely less than the number of ones in my past, but until I finally cash in on my poker chips I want to keep on living my life to the fullest. I want to continue setting goals and achieving new things that I never thought possible. I want to take in all that life has to offer.

I’m inspired by a friend of mine who’s facing her own health challenges and yet everyday writes about her family and what they mean to her. I want to live my life like that.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. I hope you feel the same. Happy Monday! 

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57 thoughts on “Kicking the bucket”

  1. Here, hear! Happy Monday to you, too, Brian. In fact, in Canada today is a statutory holiday celebrating each province or territory. So, from my province, Happy New Brunswick Day!

    Liked by 3 people

  2. I’ll turn 37 this year and I’ve been thinking about it, that perhaps I’ve lived half my life. It can sometimes cause a sort of panicked sense that there isn’t much time left. I guess that’s why they invented the term “mid-life crisis”. Ultimately, I agree with you that we ought to make the most of each day, and I look ahead with gratitude and a sense of adventure. This puts things into a better perspective.😊

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  3. Yes, every day living my life to the fullest — and happiest.
    I’ve created a beautiful comfortable career for myself (writing, speaking, and a side cat sitting business) and go out and have fun at least 5 days/nights per week. Totally living high energy and looking forward to being 60 in a few weeks.
    My great grandmother made it to 86, my grandmother 76, and my mother 80…but I had a father-in-law who lived to 94…so, you just never know!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Happy Upcoming Birthday Maryanne! Love your spirit. Ya gotta enjoy life. Too many people see the half empty glass, instead of what things could be. Plus, we’re living much longer lives. I know I want to enjoy them. Thanks for commenting. Love it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Thanks for the reminder that we’re all going to die.😉 But seriously, I like what you wrote. So important to look at life honestly and live each day to the fullest. And to focus on the important stuff. Thanks.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I gotta say, a little eerie! Great minds think alike though, right? Ha ha. At least we know now that we’re the last two people anyone should invite to their party. We’ll be the two guys in the corner talking about death and the meaning of life. Ha, ha. I like that we took two different approaches, but generally came out to some common ground, tell your loved ones you love them and live your life to the fullest. Love your piece. Very well written.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, sir. As soon as I posted mine, I read yours, and I thought, WOAH!! 😲 Yours, by the way, was also very good.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Hanging on to the promise of God, we know that eternity waits for all who love and serve God. Death will come to each of us. Each human being has a purpose, designed perfectly by God. We all will face trials, joys, love, laughter and all other human emotions that make us human, but God will never leave us. He is always available and He never changes. We can live life, knowing that it never ends. Jesus has paid for our sins and eternal life awaits beyond the grave. Great post btw..

    Liked by 2 people

  9. It does no good at all to dwell on days or months or years as we really don’t have control over when our final moment will be. Just too many variables in place I think so why not live without regret and make every day the best that you can. Good reminder Brian!

    Liked by 6 people

  10. This really resonates with me, as I dedicate time and space daily to reading Pema Chödrön. I’m focusing right now on her When Things Fall Apart, in which she invites the reader to treat each finite, one-time breath as an opportunity to face death (my words, not hers, as I can’t find the direct quotes!). I find this such a beautiful reminder to know myself blessed to be here still breathing at all, embracing all the exquisite vulnerability of this finiteness, as best I can. Awareness of the finitude somehow makes everything feel a little more precious and full of wonder, for me, and I’ve for sure touched that in your post.

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    1. Oh, I’m sure when I’m facing death’s door, I’ll be running away like a crazy lunatic. Ha, ha, I’m just kidding. I appreciate your kind and wise words. I like how you described it, by being aware of the finitude of life, it becomes more precious in my mind. I take things more in stride and live life to the fullest. Thanks so much for commenting Deborah.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Having faced several serious health scares myself, I couldn’t agree with you more. It does bring a person up short, really makes us think and take stock, but it’s good for us — and for our spouses. We start nudging them towards more independence, start asking questions that need to be asked.

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    1. Yes, I had to show my wife this piece first. I’m sure she didn’t like the lede. What you’re dying? Did I miss something? You’re going to be dying after I’m through with you. Ha, ha. We tend to avoid conversation around death, but I actually find it helpful, because it helps think about life (how we want to live the life we have.) Thanks for commenting Christine and here’s to good health!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks. One interesting thing in this line came up yesterday, actually. I was smelling something…and looked in the cupboard…and saw a dead mouse!! I was about to yell for Bob to come deal with it, and then I thought, “Wait. If he wasn’t here–or able to–I’d have to deal with this myself.” And so I did — which he was quite happy about. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I was really hoping that by putting this post out there, someone would comeback with some genius idea that would give me “control.” Oh, what a bummer! 🙂 No, you’re so right, there’s no control, just how we handle ourselves now to our last breadth. I hope to live my life to the fullest. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. So many people shy away from the topic, but I think it’s healthy to think about death because, as you state, it forces us to look at how we are living our lives and consider how we wish to be remembered. It’s a good perspective to help avoid regrets.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’ve had a few posts like this one. It’s my own silly way to try to make sure I keep facing this topic head-on. You’re so right Erin that we really should address it more in society. Definitely helpful in making sure we don’t have regrets. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I’ve had that same thought, Brian. As soon as we are born, viruses and such try to feed on us or kill us. Our time here is very much finite. My dad is 95 years young and doing well for his advanced age. I doubt that I will enjoy such longevity.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. I love what Deb and Deborah shared (above). Your post and their thoughts about vulnerability and time…make good use of it. Yes, yes. Some days the words ‘make haste’ pop to mind, like a mantra, when I get sucked into mindless drivel and worry about inconsequential stuff. “Make haste” I tell myself. Focus on what matters most, urgently, fervently. Thank you for the beautiful reminder to start the week off right, Brian! 😊

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Ok, I got my reminder today, “make haste.” What a great reminder. It’s like that parenting quote, the days are long, but the years are short. (When I hear people complain or gossip, I think of make haste too. Is it really worth my time complaining when time is running out?)

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  16. Love this post, Brian – and all the great comments. I think it’s an especially important reminder to think of when we are healthy so we keep living the full life you describe while we can. Thanks for starting my week out right, my friend! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Relatable post Brian. Life is short and I agree that some live short lives and others long lives. Only God Almighty knows how much time each person has. I too am grateful for being alive even the youth die, I am just 24 years but who knows when I am going to kick the bucket🙏🙏

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  19. I find myself thinking about how much time I have left on Earth. I’m sure it’s because I’m getting older and that my mom passed away in January. It brought the concept home to me. Your post is a great reminder to make the most of the time we have.

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  22. We are on the same wave length Brian, my post this coming Wednesday starts out, “There are two indisputable facts about life that we must all accept. We were born, and we will die.” I go in a different direction with the whole death thing but clearly it is a subject that we’re both tossing around. The older I get the more I like to consider what the hell I’m going to do with the time I have left. I love that you suggest, “I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. I hope you feel the same.” I feel exactly the same! Great post. Hugs, C

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Aww, thanks Cheryl. Good to know I’m not crazy. I had to show my wife the post first. I could just imagine her look when she saw my lede that said I was dying!!! 🤭 I can’t wait to see your post. Love the lede. You’ve got me hooked. And I do believe that last line. I’m a worrier, but I feel strongly about that, I can’t wait to see how the story plays out! Thanks so much for commenting!!!!!😎😎😎😎

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