One month to Live

A few months ago, there was this book that I've planned on buying titled "One month to Live". More than a self-help book, it's more of a challenge that would require you to change the way you live your life in thirty days and sooner find out how the book has changed your life.

Four days ago, I found the book at half the price in one newly-opened bookstore. I thought it was a sign, and so I went for the book. Brushing through the first few pages, I couldn't help but be captivated by the challenge. And so I took it. I used my special hard bound notebook as a journal to keep track of my progress in thirty days.

Inasmuch as I would want to finish the book in one sitting, which I easily can, i shouldn't. It's more like a one chapter per day reading, and after every chapter, there's this activity which you should do. Day one includes the "Write five things which you would do if you knew you only had one month to live." The book told me not to think about it much, so I began writing with ease.

1. Thank, hug, affirm the people who play vital roles in my life.
2. Travel the world, take pictures and write about it.
3. Think of at least one thing to be thankful for each day.
4. Say no to the things I don't like, and yes to opportunities and risks.
5. Never to deprive myself of the material things I want.

It's funny how extreme one person could get when you know you only have one month to live. When I thought watching movies and hanging out with friends complete my day, it's not. There's something deeper to this life than wasting it on things that wouldn't really count in the end.

Over the past few months, I realized that i have been spending too much time worrying about how to get by each day being happy and fulfilled. All along the answer was with me. Happiness could not be found in people, things or events, but from within. The grandest fireworks display may mean the world to a child, but nothing to you. It's how you see things, it's how you act upon situations, it's all about you. Mother Theresa once said that there's no use trying to please other people, for it was never really about you and them, it's all about you and Him.

And so these past few days, I find it difficult to be sad over petty things. I just couldn't help but see positivity over everything that's happened to me lately. Some may see it at something big or heavy, but for me, it just shouldn't be. The only way to be happy is just to simply be.