Life and Death
In order to appreciate life more we need to understand the loss of it. This exercise has nothing to do with your faith, whether you believe in life after death or not. It is simply designed to challenge you to inventory what you value most in life and then face the reality of losing it all.
If you find this to be morbid and useless then I suggest that you do not proceed.
But I guarantee that for those who participate, you will learn to appreciate all that you have a lot more.
It is my intent to awaken in you the desire to face tomorrow with a new enthusiasm and spirit for living.
Don't just read this exercise. Do it! I dare you! I promise you will not regret it.
Here's what you will need:
Twelve small slips of paper and a pencil. Go get them now before you read on!
On each of the small slips of paper write one of the following items (one item for each slip of paper)
- Three people who are very dear to you.
- Three things you own that you value or feel are very special.
- Three activities in which you enjoy participating.
- Three personal attributes of which you are proud (three things you like about yourself)
Place all twelve slips of paper in front of you face up.
You are going to make some very difficult decisions and choices here, so be prepared to face reality.
Here is the setting:
You haven't been feeling well lately. You have been exhausted and somewhat stressed. You went to your doctor and he ran a series of tests. You are now in his office alone awaiting the results.
He enters with your file in hand. Instead of sitting behind his desk he pulls up a chair next to where you are seated.
You know something is wrong. Your heart beats faster because you can sense what he is about to say.
He then proceeds to tell you that all indications are that you have an incurable disease. There are no treatments, no operations, no choices...little time left.
Pick three slips of paper from the twelve and rip them up.
- NEXT
You are now back at home. Answer these questions:
Who is there? Who do you want to be there? What do you say? What do you want to hear?
Rip up another three slips of paper.
- Two months later
You are aware your symptoms are worsening and you are feeling weaker.
Answer these questions:
Where are you? What is your lifestyle? What do you continue to do? What can you do? What is your spirit like, your faith? What things do you value more now that you didn't before?
Rip up two more slips of paper.
- Four Months Later
You are undeniably ill. The pain has increased considerably.
Answer these questions:
Where are you? Who stays with you? Who visits you? Who are the people you want around you?
Rip up two more slips of paper.
- Six months have passed
You find every little thing difficult to do. The simplest daily tasks of living are too much for you to handle.
Answer these questions:
How do you feel about yourself? Where are you? How is your spirit? Your faith? What things do you miss?
Place the last two slips of paper in front of you. Take the one on your right and rip it up.
Finally, pick up your last slip of paper and examine what you are left with after all of this.
Rip it up...you are dead.
Now face reality. You are alive. You have all of the twelve things you had chosen and more in your life.
What are you going to do with them? Go back and think about all the people who came to mind that you wished were there. What things did you want to say to them that you hadn't said? What did you want to accomplish that you hadn't?
As you were choosing the things to rip up how did you feel about it? What did you hold onto the longest and why?
If it was a person why not call them right now?
If it was a thing...why wasn't it a person?
Now take a deep breath. It is the breath of life. It is the life you have chosen. Go to bed tonight and wake up excited for all that you have and the chance to correct all that you want to.
Live like you have been born a second time.
I write about this stuff of life. If you have not visited my story site I invite you to now...click the link below:
If you want to return to the "Loss Page" Click Here
Bob Perks