In 2010 I had a cancer scare.
I told only a handful of friends. Of those few who knew that I had a spinal tumor, I’d told no one that I’d been given a 5% chance of survival, and a 50% chance of permanent paralysis.
Seven years ago, the neurosurgeons at NY Presbyterian spent eight hours untangling a tumor the size of a golf ball from my spinal cord. I’d made my peace and was prepared to die, in a way I’d never prepared to live.
If you knew for a fact that today was your last day on earth, what would you do?
I call what happened to me The Gift, because it forced me to deal with The Question most people spend their whole lives avoiding: if you knew for a fact that today was your last day on earth, what would you do? Go home and make love to your partner one last time? Play with your kids? Cuddle your cat(s)? Settle an old feud? Rob a bank?
I know for a fact what I’ll be doing on my last day on earth: I’ll be with true friends, having great food and great conversation over a great drink. I designed my entire life around this one idea: if today’s my last day on earth, that’s how I want to spend it.
If there are things you need to say or do, best get about them. Leave nothing unsaid or undone. Don’t wait for The Gift of clarity a near death experience gives; face The Question and spend every minute of every day answering it.
Photo courtesy of the author.