QUESTION #1 -- Jan 19, 2008
In honor of the launch of a brand new year, one, incidentally, that has thusfar been very energetically weird for me and lots of people I know, I ask you:
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE MORE YEAR ON THIS PLANET, (god forbid as 'my people' say), WHAT TOP THREE PRIORITIES WOULD BE PERCOLATING IN YOUR BRAIN TODAY?
Perhaps we can use this question to focus our intentions for 2008, get closer to fulfilling our bliss, and remember what really matters....
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE MORE YEAR ON THIS PLANET, (god forbid as 'my people' say), WHAT TOP THREE PRIORITIES WOULD BE PERCOLATING IN YOUR BRAIN TODAY?
Perhaps we can use this question to focus our intentions for 2008, get closer to fulfilling our bliss, and remember what really matters....
If I found out I only had one more year on this planet, I would:
1. Give up everything that I earned an income from,for finally would have no need for financial security.
2. See every person I once loved and still love today to thank them for their gift of love—and tell them what it had meant or still means to me. If I loved someone for even a short time, I am still grateful for that experience we shared and would want them to know how they impacted me and still live in my heart and mind.
3. Travel through each day local or afar to see the true beauty that passes in front of us in it's rawest form. Something that seems to get lost in the midst of insecurities, fears and busy living.
Reply to this
#1. give thanks to friends and family
#2. square away finances
#3. get right with the Lord
Reply to this
I would eat every fattening food guilt free and with plenty of gusto.
I would treasure, with my spouse, the last fragile months of our children's lives.
I would stop shaving.
Reply to this
I would race a sailboat around the world, take a cross-country trip with my mom and defend my dissertation.
Reply to this
Amy -- let me help you complete your dissertation - I just co-authored a book on Completing your Qualitative Deisseratin: A roadmap from beginning to end with a protege of mine. It is relevant to quantitative research as well. I am a fculty member and doctoral adviser at Columbia, Teachers College. In any event, dont give up!
Marie Volpe
Reply to this
HI CALI
I LOVE YOUR BLOG AND YOUR PHOTO DOESN"T DO YOU JUSTICE.
Reply to this
Cali-Lilly, you are quite something! really very creative. I was up before sunrise this morning and as I read your questions and started to think about them - just at that moment, the most magnificent sunrise blazed on to the sky - right in front of me - it was such a brilliant scene of red and orange and was the perfect setting to keep thinking about what you asked. And, finally I wrote three things down on paper - a piece of paper I will keep as a reminder for the now because I only have the now to 1) ask for forgiveness to all those i may have offended; 2) develop a plan to disperse all earthy stuff and start to give them away and 3) keep a journal to capture lessons learned mostly the hard way on my own long journey that it might be of some help or some source of courage to others.
\
thank you for the opportunity to gave to us all. love marie
Reply to this
Very interesting question indeed. However I tend to ponder these same things especially after having a brother pretty much live this only he had less time.
I would definitely take the time to spend it with those that are most important to me, my friends and family that love me unconditionally and have provided me with love and support and most of all laughter.
Travel...see all the things that I haven't been given the opportunity...go on an endless summer surfing trip and invite whoever wanted to come along with me.
Give those belongings that have no sentimental value to me away to those who need it, my clothes, my furniture there are so many unfortunate people that don't even have a pot to cook in...I work with these people daily and giving back well that's important to me.
Reply to this
My top priority has always been and will always be until my end- my three children and my three grandchildren. I would continue to develop the best relationships I could and create the most loving memories for them to hold in their minds and hearts. Also I try every hard to evolve myself spiritually, I read spiritual and self help books that have healed me and helped me to grow. I will forever continue to keep my own mind and heart open because growth is very important to me. And lastly, I would love to travel. To experience the beauty and wonders of this world. And if I only had one year left, I would bring my family along to create some of the loving and happy memories for them to treasure.
Reply to this
My Top 3 priorities would be (1) feed the hungry and clothed the poor. Its sad that in America we have such a problem. It seem some people don't care. This issue is always on my mind. (2) to say hello to someone who I
don't like and get past what ever issue I might have with that person.
(3) Stive to be a better person each day and drwa closer to God. Life is a journey from which we go down the road only once.
Phil
Reply to this
3 Priorities: Forgive & forget, Love with passion every thing I encounter, raise people up as much as they would let me with kindness. Working on the PeaceJourney has proved to me that all those questions I asked myself as a very young person (including asking our priest when I was only 7 why God would place a mortal sin on a little baby - he was quite stunned - could have been because I was also pulling on his Rosary Bead belt at the same time) ..anyway back to the questions -- all the ones I have asked of myself come back to how I view my place in the world and the impact that a simple act of kindness coupled with eager passion and behavior to match, standing up and speaking about what I feel passionate about - can change things- can create an energy that takes one to a new place, a new view and up there - you can see a new way to approach the same problems with vigor. That's it. Thanks Cali for this opportunity on a cold and sunny Sunday in Chicago! Love and Peace.
Reply to this
Top 3 priorities
Improve my life insurance. Convert my bonds, sell my stocks and stash the proceeds in my sister's floor safe. This money is for my two boys. Their mother died a few years ago and left them nothing but debt.
Take a road trip with my kids. Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore and Carlsbad Caverns.
One last trip to Burning Man. I've done this trip 6 times in the past. Last year was the best... and also the worst. Best because I spent the entire week rekindling old friendships, decompressing and contemplating retirement. The worst because I had a minor emotional breakdown. So many people and no one to share my heart with. For my last year I'll be more self-sufficient and bring someone who loves me besides my kids.
Still... I could die tomorrow and be the happiest, most lucky guy I know. Life has been great.
Reply to this
I'm not sure I could handle the stress of knowing my days were literally numbered. I imagine I'd blow my brains out when it got down to about two months.
So really, I'd prefer no notice, or maybe just long enough to yell, "I'm coming Elizabeth!", like Fred Sanford, write a couple emails, talk to my mother, then call it a day.
But since that's not the question on the table, here goes (literally) nothing:
1) Have sex. Since I don't have a girlfriend, I guess that means either prostitutes or rape. Rape would make me feel guilty, and I wouldn't want to spend my last days on earth feeling guilty or being incarcerated. So I guess I'd go with prostitutes, since I wouldn't have to worry about disease. Yes, that is my first answer. Have sex with as many escort girls as possible.
2) My second answer is eat whatever I want. I do this anyway, but not to the degree I would had I only 12 months to live. Plus I wouldn't be required to lessen my guilt with the half-assed workouts I do twice a week. Eating, by the way, would also include travel, which would allow me to eat lots of exotic foods from all over the world.
3) Finally, I would return to this page and answer the question with the knowledge and experience I do not current possess, nor hope I ever possess.
Reply to this
One More Year
Three Things I'd Do
--Show my mother I love her more.
--Abandon the little casing of fear and protectiveness that surrounds my heart
--Take one last bang up, absolutely AMAZING trip.
Reply to this
Led Zeppelin, a cohiba cuban cigar in a epson salt bath.
Reply to this
I would have a natal/ transit astrological chart done/ read/taped from someone who has ability to go into your energy about past lives present and future and understand the karmic debt as soon as possible and as a back up re-read Caroline Myss Anatomy of the Spirit to heal yourself by the seven stages of power and healing
Reply to this
Travel the world visiting friends and loved ones.
Make a home movie a la 'My life' for my son and husband.
Write a spiritual children's book.
Reply to this
Cali,
You are just the most creative person I know. I love the way you write.
With a year left I guess I would make a videotape like michael keaton in that movie so george would know who his dad was. Then I would edit it to make me look like a good guy.
Love ya for makin' me think.
Reply to this
1- Spending time with family.
2- Spending time with friends.
3- Art.
Reply to this
1. Probably doesn't need to be said, but of course first and most importantly,I would spend my time with my family and dearest friends. (Without distraction!)
2. I would not edit the words leaving my lips. There would be no fear and I would share all of my deepest thoughts. I try to live this way now....but often that protective wall gets in the way. I think this would be helpful to those listening.
3. I would impress upon everyone I meet till my last breath to try as much as possible to enjoy every moment to its fullest. Always listen to your heart, not your head AND REALLY TRY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE to live that way. It goes fast!
Reply to this
1. would eat chocolate chip cookies and mint chip ice cream every day and not complain how fat I was
2. I would like to spend all my time with my children (24 hours a day)
3. Do many things I was afraid of in the past such as:
a. sky diving
b. hang gliding
c. white water rafting
d. clean out my closets
Reply to this
1. Sunday night Alex's pasta night
2. Hang'n with family and friends
3. Sky diving is Bullshit, mixing a good Vodka and Cran is better!
Reply to this
1. Irritating the establishment
2. Carnal knowledge
3. Look into my wifes eyes every moment of of the days I have left.
Reply to this
If I had one year left (god forbid) I would spend it passing on as much LOVE as I could to every single person I came into contact with. I am trying to live every day as if it was my last anyway, so I cherish every waking moment I have. Good or bad every day brings a new chance to "get it right" whatever that might be. I commute every day from NYC to long island and i am always filled with joy when I quietly observe the people around me on the subway and the LIRR being considerate to each other. I have high hopes that someday this LOVE thing is going to catch on and become a new religion. Everyone is craving for affection. I would spend my last year being a witness to the kindness of the world!!!!
Reply to this
I thought I answered this one but must have missed it.
1) Travel, Travel and travel...I would do things really out of character for me like go camping or climb mountains...kind of take myself out of my element and experience being down and dirty and one with nature.
2) Spend time with my family, as much as I could...just create memory after memory with them.
3) I would finish writing my handbook for life...something I started when I was younger and am constantly adding to.
Reply to this