Mardy, thanks for your post on living with a mindfulness of our death. And the fact that you just celebrated a birthday (congratulations), it made me think that every day could be considered a birthday, for each day is a new day of life. In one of my favorite books (To Marci With Love) by photographer Jimo Perini, I’ve always loved his words: “Life begins, as it were, not when a man is born, but when a man decides to honestly pursue a goal; when he gives birth to original ideas; when he creates constructive thought; when he exerts his ambition; in short, when he gives himself wholeheartedly to tomorrow.” No better preparation for our ultimate end than to live wholeheartedly with our senses wide open to each new day of our lives.
One of my favorite quotes (I even used it as the epigraph for a story or novel once) begins with "If you've never seen death...." Can't remember the whole thing at the moment. Seems like i twas by a Latin American magic realism writer. It ends with something like "look in your mirror. You will see it buzzing around....."
I'm assuming many of us remember the movie "The Bucket List"... it's become such a well-known phrase to me, anyway --- getting things onto, & marked off, of one's 'bucket list'. ie: I became certified as a scuba diver at the age of 65 (by far the oldest in my class) & have since seen another part of God's amazing creations - oh, such fabulous critters down there!!!
I hope/pray for people in today's divided world to know that hatred is not how they, personally, want to leave the world.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’” --Hunter S. Thompson
I love the message, Mardy. We need to treat the present as "a present," because it's here and gone. Todays turn into tomorrows all too fast.
That said, we shouldn't live for this life alone. For most of us, our lives on earth will last less than a century. But the next life lasts for eternity. It's crucial that we prepare for the that, as well.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” --Jesus, in John 5:24 (NIV)
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” --Job 19:25-26
“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” --Daniel 12:2
Best theme ever Mardy!!! The song is on my playlist and I listen to it from time to time when it feels good to do so. Ofcourse I knew the mystery man and his wife - but you had to “throw” in the father too?!! :)
Love the cartoon too!
Best line from Bucket List movie is “Find the joy in your life…”
A worthy reminder, of course. I take it a half step further..."do it while you can." Death may not be imminent, but your ability to "get out" and do things while you're still able is also, in all likelihood, of finite duration. There may (luckily or unluckily) be adequate hours to sit in your chair and remind yourself and others of the good times, but it's better, while you're able, to construct more of those "good times" while you are physically able. Happy belated birthday, Dr. Grothe...
Pull yourself together the best you can, and keep on living! Maybe you can't do some things anymore but maybe there's things you can do that you never thought to do before. Or maybe never took the time to.
I have long been known in my family and among friends, as the death man. I do believe embracing death is required for fully living. But we live in a death defying culture that regards death as defeat. The twin mysteries of our origin and our destiny make living rich. Happy birthday, Mardy.
Many of the quotes remind me of what wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:10, Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place to which you are going.
P.S. No big deal, but the term Country and Western isn't really used anymore. It' just called Country
The comment was already made, so I removed it. Turns out, it just drew more attention to it.
I don't wish I had gotten richer. I wish I had been kinder.
Death. I am Death, that no man dreadeth.
For every man I rest and no man spareth;
For it is God’s commandment
That all to me should be obedient.
Everyman. O Death, thou comest when I had thee least in mind;
About the above. The first line is from me. It isn't too late to be kinder. Better.
The next lines are from the ancient play, "Everyman."
Thanks for the clarification, Peter. Lovely thoughts, all!
Good article. I posted my poetic version of my cancer journey today in my newsletter, Wayfarer.
Thanks, Harley. I will check it out.
Perfect reminder! Thank you!
And hope you had a great birthday celebration!
Thanks, Barbara. All birthday celebrations are great, but they're especially savory when we get to our eighties!
Mardy, thanks for your post on living with a mindfulness of our death. And the fact that you just celebrated a birthday (congratulations), it made me think that every day could be considered a birthday, for each day is a new day of life. In one of my favorite books (To Marci With Love) by photographer Jimo Perini, I’ve always loved his words: “Life begins, as it were, not when a man is born, but when a man decides to honestly pursue a goal; when he gives birth to original ideas; when he creates constructive thought; when he exerts his ambition; in short, when he gives himself wholeheartedly to tomorrow.” No better preparation for our ultimate end than to live wholeheartedly with our senses wide open to each new day of our lives.
Thanks for your kind words, Michael. I just added that wonderful Perini quote to the LIFE section of my DMDMQ: https://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/l#life
Definitely a great theme, Mardy. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of our experience of existence. All the best, John.
Thanks, John. I agree 100% with your thought.
One of my favorite quotes (I even used it as the epigraph for a story or novel once) begins with "If you've never seen death...." Can't remember the whole thing at the moment. Seems like i twas by a Latin American magic realism writer. It ends with something like "look in your mirror. You will see it buzzing around....."
Found it. "You've never seen death? Look in the mirror every day and you will see it like bees working in a glass hive." Jean Cocteau
Thanks, Harvey, that is a good one, and it may be found in my DMDMQ: https://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/d#death_dying
II figured you had it somewhere.
I'm assuming many of us remember the movie "The Bucket List"... it's become such a well-known phrase to me, anyway --- getting things onto, & marked off, of one's 'bucket list'. ie: I became certified as a scuba diver at the age of 65 (by far the oldest in my class) & have since seen another part of God's amazing creations - oh, such fabulous critters down there!!!
I hope/pray for people in today's divided world to know that hatred is not how they, personally, want to leave the world.
Good for you, dj. That is a perfect example of this week's theme! I also appreciate your final thought!
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’” --Hunter S. Thompson
I love the message, Mardy. We need to treat the present as "a present," because it's here and gone. Todays turn into tomorrows all too fast.
That said, we shouldn't live for this life alone. For most of us, our lives on earth will last less than a century. But the next life lasts for eternity. It's crucial that we prepare for the that, as well.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” --Jesus, in John 5:24 (NIV)
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” --Job 19:25-26
“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” --Daniel 12:2
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Scott, and the additional quotes.
Best theme ever Mardy!!! The song is on my playlist and I listen to it from time to time when it feels good to do so. Ofcourse I knew the mystery man and his wife - but you had to “throw” in the father too?!! :)
Love the cartoon too!
Best line from Bucket List movie is “Find the joy in your life…”
Thanks for the kind words, Manisha. Lots of people who love that song are unfamiliar with McGraw's fascinating backstory.
A worthy reminder, of course. I take it a half step further..."do it while you can." Death may not be imminent, but your ability to "get out" and do things while you're still able is also, in all likelihood, of finite duration. There may (luckily or unluckily) be adequate hours to sit in your chair and remind yourself and others of the good times, but it's better, while you're able, to construct more of those "good times" while you are physically able. Happy belated birthday, Dr. Grothe...
I like to say that same theme as "is now too soon?"
Thanks, Lon, a good one!
A good extension, Steve. Thanks also for the birthday wishes. A good time was had by all!
This week's message is very powerful for me, hitting me at the "right time." Thank you, Dr. Mardy.
Glad to hear it, Roger. With so many things in life, timing is everything!
For years I wanted to die. Now that I‘m old and basically falling apart, I want to live.
Pull yourself together the best you can, and keep on living! Maybe you can't do some things anymore but maybe there's things you can do that you never thought to do before. Or maybe never took the time to.
A lovely thought, Carrie.
A paradoxical sentiment, if I've ever heard one!
I have long been known in my family and among friends, as the death man. I do believe embracing death is required for fully living. But we live in a death defying culture that regards death as defeat. The twin mysteries of our origin and our destiny make living rich. Happy birthday, Mardy.
Thanks for sharing the thought, Blayney. An important addition to the conversation. Thanks also for the birthday wishes.
Many of the quotes remind me of what wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:10, Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place to which you are going.
P.S. No big deal, but the term Country and Western isn't really used anymore. It' just called Country
Thanks for sharing the biblical quote and for educating me on the current nomenclature!
This is one of my favorite comedic observations on today's subject.
@kevin_nealon:
I live every day like it's the last day of my life.
Every morning I wake up real early, and I spend maybe three hours on the phone making funeral arrangements.
Thanks, Chuck. Nealon is one of my favorites!