Since Iraq, every day has been the kind of gift I cannot take for granted. Knowing I've been dead for 15 years already, has changed everything in my life for the better. Ghosts walking have powers beyond anything I could have imagined.
Nightmare last week: as I’m being led to the electric chair I think “I thought I’d always have one more day to get it right.” Waking, I know I only have so many days. Since then I’ve been getting small things at least *more* right, one day at a time.
Ought we all at least try, for even just moments in a day, to live as if it’s the last. Notice the beauty of the sky, the sweetness of our loved one’s touch, the goofiness of play with our dog, and waste no time on matters that are outside ourselves, like media for instance……
Oh no! Partially fiction? Which part, Mark!?? Please post again soon. Your friend Paul is very wise. I have copied those words and posted them on my kitchen cabinet as an affirmation that how I am choosing to live now is the right choice for me. I gave up TV and news feeds six years ago so I could breathe. I have never missed either. I try to just focus on what is happening locally - things I can participate in and affect in some way. Have you tried giving up "the News" for one week. You might be surprised how you don't miss the angst?
Whew! What a one-two-three punch of believable dreams. Even without the last line, I trusted you to take a non-literal interpretation of your dreams (e.g. readiness for a big change). Still, you’re leading me to question my plan to work on taxes today. That is not what I want to do on my last day. 🥸🥴
If we treated every day as our 'last day', our days would be so much more beautiful, our mind full of thoughts of those we love and the blessings we have. Your friend and mentor, Paul, is wise.
Thank you, Mark for that last line. I was hoping that you weren't actually having to go through 24 hours of wondering if the next breath would be the last.
Touching thoughts on life and family and the things we take for granted. A reminder that when we say "talk to you tomorrow," we may want to add "I love you."
Mark, this is an excellent read. You covered a lot of ground and said so much without saying it all. Makes me feel like I had a bird's eye view of my many past decades. A good way to center myself...
You are NOT a “minimally skilled” anything!!!. I so envy the people you help in your job. From your writing it’s so obvious you’re wise and deep, and perceptive and everything that is of good repute, and kind. I read this hanging on every word, it’s a horrifyingly wonderful piece - and I’m so relieved it’s part fiction!!!
Glad to read the last line too! But a very enjoyable read. I've been so busy I haven't read posts in a long time but I plan to catch up. Have a great "Last Day."
About dreams. They are a lot like Wikipedia or the internet generally, so caveat emptor.
For three nights in a row, I have awakened from dreams about being all itchy from installing fiberglass insulation in a house. When my mind finally clears, I realize that I actually am itchy not because of fiberglass insulation, but because of being the guest of honor at a midnight potluck in bed at the Grand Hotel Las Vegas.
Who ever wrote the human brain operating system included a few tricky little subroutines just for laughs. For example, never use the toilet in a dream, because you know why.
Since Iraq, every day has been the kind of gift I cannot take for granted. Knowing I've been dead for 15 years already, has changed everything in my life for the better. Ghosts walking have powers beyond anything I could have imagined.
Nightmare last week: as I’m being led to the electric chair I think “I thought I’d always have one more day to get it right.” Waking, I know I only have so many days. Since then I’ve been getting small things at least *more* right, one day at a time.
Ought we all at least try, for even just moments in a day, to live as if it’s the last. Notice the beauty of the sky, the sweetness of our loved one’s touch, the goofiness of play with our dog, and waste no time on matters that are outside ourselves, like media for instance……
Oh no! Partially fiction? Which part, Mark!?? Please post again soon. Your friend Paul is very wise. I have copied those words and posted them on my kitchen cabinet as an affirmation that how I am choosing to live now is the right choice for me. I gave up TV and news feeds six years ago so I could breathe. I have never missed either. I try to just focus on what is happening locally - things I can participate in and affect in some way. Have you tried giving up "the News" for one week. You might be surprised how you don't miss the angst?
Whew! What a one-two-three punch of believable dreams. Even without the last line, I trusted you to take a non-literal interpretation of your dreams (e.g. readiness for a big change). Still, you’re leading me to question my plan to work on taxes today. That is not what I want to do on my last day. 🥸🥴
If we treated every day as our 'last day', our days would be so much more beautiful, our mind full of thoughts of those we love and the blessings we have. Your friend and mentor, Paul, is wise.
Truth or fiction, your words resonate.
There is so much natural trepidation in this, Mark! I'm with Sharron; which was the non-fiction! I like the messaging in each example:
1) I know it's going to be alright
2) don't forget your seatbelt!
3) don't you dare waste this day.
4) all done
And, I'll see you soon.
great lesson Mark!
Thank you, Mark for that last line. I was hoping that you weren't actually having to go through 24 hours of wondering if the next breath would be the last.
Touching thoughts on life and family and the things we take for granted. A reminder that when we say "talk to you tomorrow," we may want to add "I love you."
Have a great day but stay off the hang glider.
I read your story with the insight that we ought to live lives more fully, as if it were our last day. The irony is that it will come, our last day.
You still with us, Mark? 😆
Good to consider the possibility. The "whatever" was my Granny's favorite too.
Wow, Mark, that IS creepy. Wishing you a long life, and I look forward to your future posts.
Mark, this is an excellent read. You covered a lot of ground and said so much without saying it all. Makes me feel like I had a bird's eye view of my many past decades. A good way to center myself...
You are NOT a “minimally skilled” anything!!!. I so envy the people you help in your job. From your writing it’s so obvious you’re wise and deep, and perceptive and everything that is of good repute, and kind. I read this hanging on every word, it’s a horrifyingly wonderful piece - and I’m so relieved it’s part fiction!!!
Glad to read the last line too! But a very enjoyable read. I've been so busy I haven't read posts in a long time but I plan to catch up. Have a great "Last Day."
About dreams. They are a lot like Wikipedia or the internet generally, so caveat emptor.
For three nights in a row, I have awakened from dreams about being all itchy from installing fiberglass insulation in a house. When my mind finally clears, I realize that I actually am itchy not because of fiberglass insulation, but because of being the guest of honor at a midnight potluck in bed at the Grand Hotel Las Vegas.
Who ever wrote the human brain operating system included a few tricky little subroutines just for laughs. For example, never use the toilet in a dream, because you know why.