What if today is all we have?
This question plays in my head like the famous Tim McGraw's single - Live Like You Were Dying because it's one that every right-minded person should consider every once in a while, especially when making important decisions. It doesn't mean we're inviting negative energy or thoughts around us but it just means facing reality and making sensible choices.
This may sound melancholy but it's the reality I was confronted with when a heart-wrenching incident happened earlier this week. It was the start of a new week and I was optimistic as I set out of the house to purchase a few things. Getting to the end of my street, I was faced with a sight that I wished I could un-see.
It was barely nine am and during the bustling rush of people starting their activities, an accident happened, right at the corner of the busy carriageway. There was the victim, bleeding profusely, slumped in a chair and no one making any move to attend to him. I'll spare you the gory details of his injury and the lackadaisical attitude of my country fellows when accidents happen but it wasn't a pleasant sight.
I debated within myself that perhaps if I'd stayed back home a few minutes, I wouldn't have witnessed the scene and that seemed silly, but my emotional state matters. More than that, the victim was on my mind as I heard some people in the crowd mention their inability to reach his wife. I hurried along and went my way. I learned later in the day that the injured man passed away. I wasn't surprised.
The lingering question on my mind at that moment - Was he prepared to go? The thing is, most people are never ready to go but at some point, we must. No one lives forever. That was when Tim McGraw's song came to mind.
I love country music and one thing about this genre is that there's always a story behind every song. This song is about a man in his early forties who receives a diagnosis that changes his life. He starts to live right and do many things like skydiving, mountain climbing and every fun thing he's always wanted to do. What's more, he starts to “love deeper” and give forgiveness a chance. I wonder, why wait until the diagnosis comes before he starts to do the “right” things?
I've always been a proponent of living like there's no tomorrow and this encompasses making the most of every moment, cherishing the relationships we have and not sweating unimportant things. Yes! There are some issues or situations that are not just worth wasting effort on. Once we realise this, we move on to things (and people) that are deserving of our attention.
I believe if we have this mindset, there will be fewer problems, crises, and conflicts in the world. Like the American reggae singer, Matisyahu says in his song - One Day,
There'll be no more wars, and our children will play
This rapper reminds me a lot of Bob Marley. The way he sings and the lyrics to this song basically encourage people to appreciate the time we have because life is short. Only when we make the most of each moment can we live life to the fullest.
I felt so sorry for the injured man and hoped he was in a better place. I was angry (still am) with my country's health system because he could have been saved. Much more, the incident was my reminder to continue living right.
Oh well, another life lesson learned from a sad incident. Folks, enjoy every second and make it count.
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