...Stop thinking all the time that you're in the way, that you're bothering the person next to you. If people don't like it, they can complain. And if they don't have the courage to complain, that's their problem" — Paulo Coelho (Veronika Decides to Die)
With all the recent tragedies in Japan and the warnings of death and destruction in other countries, the possibility of death has kind of become forefront in my mind--not in a morbid way, just in a "this could happen" kind of way. That being said, I live in the middle of the east coast of the USA, far from anywhere that the recent natural disasters would effect. I don't know anybody living in Japan or the Philippines or Hawaii. I'm drinking mint tea in my house and typing this up on my laptop. I really have no reason to suspect or believe that I'm going to die tomorrow. But none of us really know when we're going to die, right? And when large-scale tragedy and death occurs in the world, it seems like an important reminder that life isn't a guarantee.
Everything you own could unexpectedly burn up in a fire that breaks out in your house tomorrow, or you could be caught up in a terrible accident, or diagnosed with cancer. The point is, things in life change. "Expect the unexpected" and all that jazz.
Everyone has had low points in their life, and most people have at some point wished they could erase the past, could start from scratch, have a new life, or they've wondered how many people would go to their funeral, considered the possibility of death. The fact that you're here, reading this now, proves that you've got something to live for. Whatever that something is--passion about a hobby, talent, love for someone--don't hide in a corner. Don't be the door mat. Be vibrant. If you're shy, I'm not telling you to go screaming it to the world (trust me, I wouldn't, I'm shy enough), but be assertive. Let people know you're alive, that you're present, and that you matter. If death were to hit you tomorrow, how many people would say that you made a statement about who you were? How many people would know what you were passionate about, what made you smile, and what you wanted to do with your life? Take a stand, state yourself. If you do that by having a bunch of strangers follow your blog where you post random facts about your culture, that's awesome. If you do that by having a real conversation with your family tomorrow, that's awesome, too. It doesn't matter how you do it, just do it in a way that you're comfortable--but do it!
I'm not really sure where I was going with this goal, except to say: appreciate that you're alive. Accept the fact that you can't flip back the switch and start this life over. Accept who you are, and be that person, no matter who objects. Don't be who your parents are just because they want you to. Don't do what your friends do because they're doing it; do it because you want to do it. Most importantly of all, remember that life is fragile, and that you don't know when the end is going to hit you--so live how you would live if you knew you were going to die by the end of the day tomorrow. I suppose that's one of my philosophies--live every day like you're dying. Give it a try: Goal 5, Week 6.
-M.
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