If you had one day left to live...

debbieheyward

Would you feel fulfilled in your life knowing your time was running out? I've been reading The Stone Angel which got me thinking about my own life and put alot of things into perspective for me... the relationship with my Mother, my kids, and even myself. What I really like about Margaret Laurence's style is the way she personifies her characters and makes you feel like you know them in real life. It's quite a powerful book (actually banned in some high schools). Has anyone else read it?

Constance963 · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

I haven't read it myself, but that is a good question. I think I'd be upset since I'm still 3 months away from my wedding so I would have to say that yes, I woud feel like I was missing out Sad

Lawrence · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject: Living life

Living at the moment of now is all anyone has. The tragedy of what you are discussing is, because we have the mental capacity to project into the future and recall the past, few realize the truth of living in the moment of now. Didn't mean to but in but I hit the wrong key and here I was.

President Camacho · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

Good post Lawrence! Razz

We are the only creatures on earth that even ask ourselves this question because (like lawrence implied) we have the ability for this kind of abstract thought.

We can look into the past and wonder about the future. Most other creatures live in the here and now. Some have their world totally erased at intervals - only remembering instinctively how to react to certain situations - it is a kind of memory but not one that they can use for reflection, like we can. Other creatures just barely exhibit this kind of thought like the monkey that picks up a stick, cleans it of stems and leaves, and hunts for a termite mound. He knows, sometime in the future, he will need it for picking termites out of a termite mound. He even wets it with his mouth before using it to generate some stickiness.

We think not only about days past and days to come but also wild abstractions such as what it would be like to live on another planet or what the end of the world would be like.

I think that living in the moment is not all anyone has but I do agree that it is sometimes overlooked as though it wasn't there. It is the human gift to overlook it and the reason we are so successful as a species.

(Source: Halle, L. Out of Chaos)

My view on this concerns the investment one takes on either the here and now and or on the future. Like any investment, there is a risk.

If I invested only in the here and now, I would make sure I spent every last dollar I had because there would be no reason for me to save. I would also (most likely) commit many crimes because I would have no fear of the consequences. I would be considered extremely irresponsible, untrustworthy, and many other qualities which people deem undesirable because for me, there is no tomorrow.

Investing in the future is just the opposite.

Like almost everything in life there is a gradient, not steps, but degrees. A person invests in the here and now or in the future with almost every action they take. Exercise, keeping a promise, buying a car, putting money away, paying for a college education. The list is almost endless. With every second a person spends in the here and now, something in the future is lost. I could be learning how to play an instrument instead of writing this. I am living more in the here and now than in the future. So, although people probably don't realize they are living in the here and now, they are. It just isn't very exciting.

You know what is very exciting? Pyramids, going to the moon, traveling at the speed of light.... these things require GREAT investment in the future.

Again, like any investment, there is risk. I could die tomorrow and that would be that. I think it unwise to consider this irrationally. Live knowing you will probably die around the time that your parents did (if they lived to old age), anticipate inherited family health problems, and plan accordingly. If you really want to be smart, have one of those life insurance physicals performed on you and ask what age you are projected to die at. Then factor these results into your estimate as well.

My point is, human beings are gifted with foresight. It is the reason we are at the top of the food chain. To discount it or demean it because it isn't exciting isn't needed.

If a person has feelings that they haven't done all they could to have a great time in life, I suggest it is because of lack of investing in the future and too much living in the here and now. More living in the here and now isn't what's needed.

TrinityJ · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject:

Wow awesome thread guys. And for the record, i Love this book. Margaret laurence is an incredible writer. And that was an incredible reply President Camacho. Thoughtful to say the least.

Have you guys heard about the movie for this book? It stars Ellen burstyn AND Ellen Page from Juno. Here is the official trailer:

http://movietrailerlive.com/ct_0002_TheStoneAngel_A

Is anyone else planning on seeing this? It comes out on Mothers Day if you guys need gift ideas?

DWill · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject:

Hi, debbeyheyward,
About a hundred years ago, I took a Canadian Lit. course, and The Stone Angel was one of the books. Of course, I remember nothing specific about it now, but do recall enjoying it very much--funny and touching. We read two others by her, too, but I forget the titles. One was also very good; the other attempted to be more contemporary and was a disappointment to me. I should reread the book you mention, but there is so much else to read so don't know if I ever will.
DWill

debbieheyward · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

very interesting responses, guys. I appreciate your feedback.. Lawrenceindestin, your post reminds me of a book by Eckhart Tolle, 'The Power of Now.' I'm not sure if you've read it, but you should...it provides a great new perspective on life, and offers alot of insight into mindfulness.

Lawrence · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 8:31 am Post subject: Debbie

Thanks, I'm reading A New Earth by Eckhart. When I finish I intend to post a one page blog comparing his thought with those of my essay posted on my blog. I've only read a few pages but it feels like the "est" movement of the 60s created by Werner Erhard. L


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