When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on mypancreas(胰腺). I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything isbuttoned up(守口如瓶的)so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.
I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had abiopsy(活组织检查), where they stuck anendoscope(内窥镜)down my throat, through my stomach and into myintestines(肠), put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I wassedated(安静的), but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.
This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped bydogma(教条)-- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition(直觉) . They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
下一篇: Ambition 抱负
国际英语资讯:ASEAN, China, Japan, S. Korea reaffirm commitment to actions against COVID-19 fallout
体坛英语资讯:US Open wraps up late for fourth straight year
体坛英语资讯:Japan beats South Korea 2-1 at Olympic womens soccer qualifier
体坛英语资讯:Serena, Schiavone hot in U.S. Open
体坛英语资讯:Williams beats Ivanovic to reach US Open quarter
体坛英语资讯:Bolt steals limelight, Russian topples record
体坛英语资讯:China loses to Jordan in World Cup qualifier
体坛英语资讯:U.S. Open retirements reach record 14
体坛英语资讯:Bolt retains world title in mens 200m in Daegu
体坛英语资讯:China ties DPR Korea 0-0, hope for qualifying London Olympics dim
体坛英语资讯:Will Chinas Zhang clear personal best again in mens high jump final in Daegu?
体坛英语资讯:Wozniacki sets up semifinal against Serena, Zvonareva falls out
体坛英语资讯:Zvonareva battles into 4th round, Sharapova out of U.S. Open
体坛英语资讯:Santos continues to climb in Brazilian Championship
体坛英语资讯:Argentinas River supporters sentenced to life in prison
体坛英语资讯:Euro 2017 main stadium to open on Oct. 8
体坛英语资讯:Sao Paulo wins in Rogerio Cenis 1000th game
体坛英语资讯:Top four men into US Open last four
体坛英语资讯:Santos 18-year-old prospect helps team beat Avai 2-1
体坛英语资讯:Italy qualify for Euro 2017 with win over Slovenia
体坛英语资讯:Moggi tips Milan to retain Serie A title
体坛英语资讯:France beats Albania 2-1 in Euro 2017 qualifiers
体坛英语资讯:Ronaldo happy to end career at Real Madrid
体坛英语资讯:Stosur beats Serena to lift first major trophy at US Open
体坛英语资讯:Six athletes elected to IAAF Athletes Commission
体坛英语资讯:Haedo wins confusing sprint in stage 16 of Vuelta
体坛英语资讯:All matches on Wednesday canceled due to rain at US Open
体坛英语资讯:Coritiba creams Botafogo 5-0, Flamengo keeps winless
体坛英语资讯:Internacional slams America-MG 4-2
体坛英语资讯:Cramping Nadal, Roddick into fourth round, Del Potro out of US Open