24 Hours to Live

A friend posted the following question on Facebook yesterday. I thought it was a great question to consider and decided I would make it my next blog post.

"If you had only 24 hours to live on this earth, what would you do with those 24 hours? Think about it, now! What would be the most important thing to you in the next 24 hours?"

As I read the question my eyes turn to the word which sits before the number 24. "Only." When I think about the fullness of an entire lifetime, I suppose 24 hours has a feeling of seeming to be such a short amount of time. In truth, I think it is a considerable amount of time, especially considering the fact that, sadly, there are those that live an entire lifetime and who miss out on the experiences of all that life has to offer. I am reminded of a quote from the movie Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium, "37 seconds... We breathe. We pulse. We regenerate. Our hearts beat. Our minds create. Our souls ingest. 37 seconds, well used, is a lifetime."

So, what would I do with my final 24 hours on this earth? I can say I did not have to think long and hard about my answer. As I read the question the answer came from within... almost instantly. That is the flow, the pulse, of my life that I listen to. It is the knowing that begins from deep within and longs to be expressed through the path of my life.

I would give instruction to give away or donate all of those material things that would get left behind. I would take an opportunity to express to my family and friends the immense love I hold for each and every one of them... and I would make known the depth of gratitude I have for their presence in my life.

And then... I would continue to honor my wandering, gypsy soul... that deep desire that lives within me to explore and experience the newness that people and places have to offer. I would throw on my backpack, grab my passport and my guitar (no need for the yoga mat because the earth can serve as my support when I feel the need to practice)... head to the nearest airport and jump on the first plane to Florence, Italy. Why Italy? Because it's just about the only place I'd like to visit that I haven't been to, and if 24 hours is all I have left you can bet I'm going to make that trip happen!!

In Italy, I would do that thing that stokes the fire of my soul and makes me feel alive and open to this miraculous journey... and that is to experience the joy of new adventures! Through all of my experiences I am gifted with lessons ~ lessons that teach me about myself, about others... lessons that reveal to me the beauty of life, lessons that ask me to be open to life, to its people... and to express an abundance of love for ALL. I would eat well, drink plenty. I would soak in my surroundings and proclaim gratitude for each and every moment. I would find the most handsome man (single, of course!) and kiss him with such passion I would leave him breathless. I would capture the essence of the place and its people and hold the experience in my heart. And in those final hours I would gently and with purpose make my way to the coast where I could sit in view of the vast ocean and strum the songs of my heart. I would know love. I would know joy. I would know peace and could silently drift along its wave knowing I had lived my life true to the core of my being. I would turn my thoughts to my family and friends... sit silently... and wait.

"Thank you, T.O., for asking the question!"