Bottoms Up

Imagine that you were lying on your bed embracing the final few hours of your life. What would you find as the most valuable and the most important? What would you say? Who would you say it to? How hard would you try to express yourself and your thoughts? What would be your greatest fear? How would you deal with it? What would be your greatest regret?

I know this is kind of a downer for some of you who are uncomfortable thinking about the end of your life. And, I would venture to bet that when you got up this morning, the first thought on your mind wasn't the same as the last thoughts you began to process as you started to read this blog today. You probably began to think of where the first cup of coffee would come from, who you needed to call, what clothes you would wear. From there, you began to process the stressors and the most immediate issues. All during this, you never once probably processed those moments as though they were your final ones. Why didn't you?

You see, we live as though there is no end to life. We never consider our end because it's too uncomfortable. But, starting at the bottom and working our way up is the best way to gain and maintain our focus. What we think of when we are healthy, happy and full is seldom what we think of when we are sick, depressed and empty. When we have everything, we want more of the same. When we have nothing, we want the things that are most important and often do not cost money.

As you go into your day today, ask yourself:
  1. Who do I need to call?
  2. Who needs a call from me? (This is different than number one above.)
  3. What can I do to show my love and dedication to one of my friends or family members?
  4. What caring words do I wish I had spoken and so far have never verbalized or written down?
  5. Who can I give money to that has greater need than I?
  6. Who can I give attention to that needs a personal touch?
  7. With whom do I need to make amends before it's too late?
Allow yourself to think through the end of your life and then work your way backwards and be grateful that the God of this universe has allowed you yet one more day to make and keep things right, to be an encouragement in a world and workplace of difficulty and to be a messenger that can share heartfelt care and concern with others. We are just passing through this life. None of us gets to stay. Where are you going? When will you get there? Will you take anyone with you? What will you leave behind? It's inevitable. Let's live today like it was our last. Let's make our lives count.

Bryan Hurlbut is the author of Making It Count: Putting meaning back in business and relationships. You can read more about this topic and others in Making It Count: Putting meaning back in business and relationships.

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