It seems it isn’t until we are told our life may be ending that we begin to appreciate what we have generally taken for granted.
I suppose working with end of life situations all these years gives me more awareness of what a gift having a working body and mind is. I’m aware of the sudden turns life can take, of how one moment all is going along smoothly, routinely, and then, wham! — life changes never to be the same again. I am aware of the “I wish I had,” the "if only,” the “why didn’t I” that come when we are faced with our life ending sooner than we anticipated.
I think most of us live our life on a gerbil wheel, just going round and round, doing the same routines, just going through our days. We don’t think about, let alone appreciate, the gift of breath that we have.
It isn’t until we are faced with a life challenge (a diagnosis of a life threatening illness is one) that we look back and recognize the value of the life we have taken for granted.
To slow down my gerbil wheel, to help me focus on what is really important, I ask myself each night, as I turn out the light, these questions:
~What did I trade a day of my life for?
~What was good about this day?
~Did I feel joy?
~Was there fulfillment?
Sometimes it is watching my squirrels at the feeder (I have 12 regulars). Sometimes it is reading a good book or visiting with a friend. My fulfillment can be writing a new blog, doing a Q&A over Zoom.
I’m sharing my thoughts so you can see it isn’t how big our world is, but how we find the joys in our personal days. As I respond to these few questions, I evaluate my day. Most days, I see I have lived a good day. It has been a good trade.
Something more about… What Did I Trade a Day of My Life For?
“I didn’t know how much I needed this book—until I opened it. I only wish I’d had it sooner”
That’s what so many caregivers say after using By Your Side. This clear, compassionate guide prepares you for what’s coming—before the overwhelm sets in. If you are caring for a person approaching the end of their life, get this supportive guidebook. You will use it multiple times a day.
