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Phillip McKay

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What would you do if you had one day left to live?

This is a question many have played with in their own mind I'm sure. Not a particularly happy one but it does bring to the surface the things we value most. Perhpas we might want to zone out get high and avoid the impending doom - perhaps the shock would send you spiralling. But if we could forget the leaving and the sadness bit and started doing - what would you do? And if these are the things you would and can do - will you do them tomorrow? What do you value and what are you capable of? And why in many instances do we put off what we would most like to do?

Topics: action buying time death
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  • John Potocny

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    Oct 9 2011: If I had 24 hours left to live, I would drive 600 miles to my best friend's house and tell her I loved her since the day I met her. After that I'd probably go and watch the sun set on a hill somewhere, maybe spend some time writing down all of the things that I let go by in my mind without examination... A very thought provoking question, it really makes me think about the foolish things that I let get in the way of my life.

    Thanks for asking Phillip!
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Oct 9 2011: How about telling her now?

      Death often reminds us of life, and how we want to live it:>)

      • John Potocny

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        Oct 9 2011: I've considered it more than a few times, but I don't want to endanger our friendship by telling her how I feel. Isn't it better to keep your feelings to yourself when you know that the person you love doesn't feel the same way? Sharing them despite knowing it won't lead to anything seems to be inviting trouble to me.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Oct 9 2011: If you keep your feelings to yourself, how do you "know" that the person you love doesn't feel the same way"? Maybe you're BOTH keeping your feelings to yourselves in an effort to not "endanger" the friendship? Those are the kinds of things people have regrets about when they die..."I should have told him/her how I feel". Sharing your feelings may not lead to what you want it to lead to, but it would get something off your chest...yes?
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    Rafi Amin 20+

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    Oct 9 2011: I would have cleared all my liabilities.
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    Deborah Harrison

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    Oct 8 2011: I'd find a nice hiking trail (I know one in Norway that's "just right") with access to a clean river . . . my dogs and I would explore all day and I'd happily pass under the night skies with the two of them by my side

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    Matthieu Miossec 100+

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    TED TranslatorAssociate
    Oct 7 2011: I'd probably curse and scream.
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    Nathan Austin

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    Oct 7 2011: Being a virgin, I'd have to say sex. After that, I would perform hamrless pranks
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    Laurens Rademakers 50+

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    Oct 7 2011: As an incurable aesthete, I'd call a few beautiful girls to come and show their naked bodies to me, one last time. Not in a sexual way, though.

    It may a bizarre way of saying goodbye, but I think admiring beauty (especially in its feminine form) is the most consoling of all experiences.
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    Phillip McKay

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    Oct 7 2011: You are lucky Colleen, my life seems to be racing. There is much to do and i am for the best part content with what I do, however The Slow TED talk woke me the other day. Gotta start smelling those roses.
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Oct 8 2011: I feel very lucky Phillip, to realize that I have so many choices in how I percieve life, and how I use my time here on this earth. Life is simply life...and I don't think/feel that it races. If life feels like it's racing, it is usually my thought process that is racing, and it's always good to slow down and smell the flowers:>)

      Visit my gardens...take time to ponder and enjoy the flowers...maybe you can slow things down a bit?

      http://smugdud.smugmug.com/Quintessential%20Vermont )
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        Frans Kellner 100+

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        TED Translator
        Oct 8 2011: Colleen,
        this really is amazing. If this is your work I can't think of a compliment that's good enough.
        Funny, those iron chairs and little table, we had the exact same.
        Fanciful, colorful, playful, exciting, it is all there.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Oct 8 2011: Thank you Frans...yes....it is my work/play:>) I'm happy that you notice the whimisical, playful and colorful aspects of the gardens, which are also very practical:>) It sustains me with exercise, creativity, beauty, joy and food! I designed it and my brothers helped me build the ponds and install fountains, build arbors, etc. There are over 500 varities of perennials, fruit trees, grapes, berries, herbs, annuals, tropicals and vegetables:>) It is my joyful "heaven on earth":>) Thank you for your kind words:>)
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        Juliette Zahn 50+

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        Oct 8 2011: Phillip, I would write a letter or recording of sorts to let everyone know how much I love them.Colleen, Your gardens are fabulous especially the pond.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Oct 9 2011: Dear Juliette,
          Thank you:>) I agree...there is something about working/playing with mother nature that seems magical:>) I understand how you feel with the first visit from hummingbirds...around May 15th? They are usually pretty much on scheduel......amazing!!!

          My mother was in the gardens when she went into labor for me, we went to the hospital...did our thing, and went back home to the gardens. I feel like I was born into the gardens, cannot imagine myself without a garden, even it it is a couple pots here and there, and I hope to end this life experience in a garden:>)
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        Karina Eisner 10+

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        Oct 15 2011: Coleen, I am speechless.

        I will stay in those gardens a lifetime! Thanks for sharing your Heaven with us. I am bookmarking that page, and come back as often as I can if you allow me.

        Makes me think of Capability Brown, you certainly have his sensibility and skill to work alongside with nature.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Oct 15 2011: My pleasure Karina...the gardens are to share, and I'm honored that you want to come back to them:>)

          I never heard of Capability Brown, so I went on a search. Thank you very much:>)
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    Colleen Steen 500+

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    Oct 7 2011: Hello Phillip,
    If I had one day left to live, I'd do EXACTLY the same things I plan to do today. The only difference is that I may cancel my weekend plans out of respect for the people I am planning to spend time with:>) Even if I cannot connect with them, I know they'd understand.

    Many people put things off because we often think there will be time......later. There may not be a later, as I was reminded 21 years ago when I sustained a near fatal head/brain injury and was not expected to live.

    I volunteered in a terminal care facility, and learned that those who have more difficulty with the dying process are those who have unresolved life issues. Those who are content on their death bed, have been content in the life experience...they have no regrets or unfinished business. NOW is the only moment we have...the past is gone by and the future is not yet a reality. It makes no sense to me, to put off until later, something I can do NOW:>)
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      Jaime Lubin 10+

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      Oct 8 2011: Collen I invite you to see the whole week as a weekend. Each day is sunday but in tuesday disguise. And I suspect that we lost another four or five days between the friday and saturday, so I live each day as the first day for the rest of my life, not the last. And I really enjoy to reinvent my own time.
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Oct 8 2011: Actually Jaime, I see every day as a holiday:>) I also live each day as the first day of the rest of my life...and it could also be the last:>) I am retired, so I also create my own space, time, and experience in each and every moment:>)

        p.s. I LOVE Guadalajara:>)
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          Jaime Lubin 10+

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          Oct 9 2011: Colleen
          Wellcome to Guadalajara anytime....!!!!!

          Here in my city there are so many time forms.....the chronological time, but really this is off for me
          The sacred time very profound and misterious....
          The happy time...every minut is joy

          If you dare to comeback I'll be your guide to reveal the real Gudalajara to you.
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Oct 9 2011: That sounds delightful Jaime:>)
        I have friends who live in Ajijic, and when I visit, we sometimes go to Guadalajara:>)
        I love every place in Mexico I have been:>)

        Time is a human construct, which I choose not to be attached to.
        Muchas gracias:>)
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      Juliette Zahn 50+

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      Oct 9 2011: Colleen,That garden sounds like a cycle of bliss! Live long :-)
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Oct 9 2011: Thank you Juliette...and you as well:>)
        I'm not sure how long I will live, but I AM sure that each and every moment will be mindfully aware, because I would not have it any other way. And I am quite sure that when I leave, I will be finished here, with no regrets:>)

  • James Kindler 20+

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    Oct 7 2011: Bring my family together from all over the states to say goodbye. We actually did this with my dad, we had 19 people at the hospice.
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    Gerald O'brian 50+

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    Oct 7 2011: There's a slight chance that it's today. But I'm ready for it. I'm wearing pajamas, eating garbage and watching DVDs.
    Yeah, today'd be a good day to exit.
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      Phillip McKay

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      Oct 7 2011: Small chance. Great! - you live to eat and lounge and watch DVD's another day.
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    Jayant Arrawatia

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    Oct 7 2011: Philip, I would find a lawyer and prepare my WILL at first and will make my family understand how they will sustain after me. This exercise would give me time to be with my family as well as give me satisfaction of making them aware that without me even, they can have the same life. It will help me to be with them everytime.

    :)
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      Phillip McKay

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      Oct 7 2011: Nice, i thoguht the family might figure strongly.
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      Phillip McKay

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      Oct 7 2011: So make the will Jayant!
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        Jayant Arrawatia

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        Oct 7 2011: Well, the time has not yet come... but WILL, will be my first priority...... :)
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