Live like you were dying

Music is seldom just on in the background in my house. I don’t use it to fill the quiet. When I listen to music, I am really listening and studying it — either to prepare for a performance, listening for interesting chord progressions and harmonies, to find new songs for my choir or looking for ways to improve my own music-making. And sometimes to improve how I approach life.

This morning the lyrics of Tim McGraw’s song “Live like you were dying” jumped out at me. I know I have heard it before, most likely while driving across the country with my daughter this past summer. She loves country music. It’s not my first choice, but I am growing to appreciate it more. The lyrics are often quite powerful.

“I went sky-diving”…definitely not my choice in things to pursue when hit with the reality that our end date, or even best-before date might be closer than hoped.

“And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”…all very good things to ponder.

“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
And you’ve got eternity
To think about
What you’d do with it
What could you do with it
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?”

Those were the words that really hit me. What am I doing with the days that I have? Would I be happy looking back at all the time that is wasted or spent being angry and resentful?

But, even more important, what are my equivalent-to-sky-diving activities? What would I choose to spend my time doing if I actually acknowledged the simple fact that even I will have an end date?