The Last Post: What If… Press On?
“To live with the conscious knowledge of the shadow of uncertainty, with the knowledge that disaster or tragedy could strike at any time; to be afraid and to know and acknowledge your fear, and still to live creatively and with unstinting love: that is to live with grace.” Peter Henry Abrahams
Last Post: Goodwill & Friends are like a rare pink bird... honor all
The Last Post: What If… Press On?
I have subscriptions to many blogs and tend to read several, comment on some, and skim others daily. Today, I received a very interesting post from one of them. It was a suggested topic from Guy Kawasaki’s blog; How To Change The World. Essentially, the topic was: If you had one last blog post to send out, what would you say? The idea behind the topic was a take on Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture. If you don’t remember Randy, you should definitely watch the video which I linked above. The idea was to reflect on it, write what you wish and then tweet it with the hashtag #LastBlog. Definitely thought-provoking!
I thought about it and I agree with Guy that if one had the chance to do something for the last time, it would be best spent honoring and being with loved ones. But then, I recalled a conversation I had once with one of my closest friends, Diahann. We were chatting about the importance of pushing past our fears, and living life fully because it would be sad to one day end up in a nursing home filled with regrets about what we coulda shoulda woulda done with our lives.
What if you couldn’t blog anymore? What would you leave for your readers to remember you by? Honestly, it is not much different from what we would hope for our family and friends. Since the DailyPost challenge started, I have made new friends and reconnected with old ones and the following 20 tips would be my take and thanks to all:
♥ Remember to always say I love you to your loved ones daily
♥ Remember to always say please and thank you
♥ Remember to follow the promptings of your heart
♥ Remember to honor & love yourself and others
♥ Remember to stop and enjoy the smell of the ocean and of flowers too
♥ Remember to take a chance and go for the big goal
♥ Remember too that to fail is part of the road to finding success
♥ Remember to enjoy the small things in life; fresh water, a simple meal, a cup of tea
♥ Remember to celebrate the things that matter to you – fearlessly
♥ Remember to listen and learn from others and from life
♥ Remember to smile when you answer the phone … energy travels
♥ Remember to forgive others and above all forgive yourself
♥ Remember to share a meal or a few coins with those in need
♥ Remember to eat your favorite dessert and enjoy each bite
♥ Remember to keep an open mind and observe events before commenting
♥ Remember to try new things and explore new creative ways of being
♥ Remember to breathe deeply and stretch often – both in body and mind
♥ Remember to celebrate when others succeed as yours will be coming
♥ Remember to Press On even when others say you shouldn’t
♥ Remember to thank your Creator and to always ask for Grace…
What would you do if you had a final post to offer your readers? Who/What else might you include?
Positive Motivation Tip: Face adversity with grace and clarity. Like Murphy’s Law predicts, life is about change. What goes up comes down and goes back up again…
Related Articles
- Inspired by Randy Pausch to Achieve My Dream of Financial Freedom (moneyning.com)
- Randy Pausch, “Last Lecture” Prof [And Now They’re Dead] (gawker.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Pink Duck by John James Audubon via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
if I had a final post to offer my readers?
flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/leaving-a-system/
it’s creative, to leave some things behind …
My philosophy regarding the telephone is a little different than yours: If I can’t smile when saying “Hello” into the receiver then don’t answer the call!
I appreciated this post… I live so much in the present that I often don’t think about what I would leave as a legacy were life to end at this moment. I especially like your note to “breathe deeply and stretch often”! As a super intense /driven person, I frequently forget to do both. Thanks for the reminder!
~RJ
Amen to every one of your “tips” Eliz. 🙂
You are so right about the phone advice…when you smile, people can “hear” that in your voice.
I’d add one thing to the dessert tip…sometimes, eat it FIRST!
My husband and I used to go to an ice cream store in CT where the owner made all of the ice cream. He had a bulletin board where he posted letters from satisfied patrons. One of the letters was from a 95 year old woman who said that her only regret in life was that she hadn’t eaten more ice cream. 🙂 I try to remember that as I work my way through a day (and night sometimes) crowded with things that need to be done.
Love your graphic ~ we live on Spoonbill Landings and have many Spoonbills visiting us throughout the year. Gorgeous birds.
My advice is simple: Be absolutely determined to enjoy what you do.
Following that advice leads us in the direction of our passions ~ “our purpose is to discovery our purpose and then pursue it with passion.”
Namaste.
Oops . . . discover our purpose
Here’s my sum up of Randy Pausch’s advice:
nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/life-lessons-randy-pausch
Along the same lines as Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture:
nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/the-awakening-by-sonny-carroll
And by Cheryl Richardson:
nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/create-space-for-what-matters
Enjoy the path as it unfolds before you!
20 good tips, Eliz!
I also like the advice on a bumper sticker on my neighbor’s car: “Want Less.”
You have given us a lot to think about!
Every risk I’ve ever taken started with the thought, ‘I don’t want to die with any regrets.’ Even if the risk wasn’t worth it in many ways, it was worth it from the stand point that I never have to wonder ‘what if’.’
Interesting post.
This is a terrific topic. How very inspirational and touching. The heart shines bright here.
It drew a tear and I have printed it to add to my wall. I am deeply touched and thanks too.
B
Interesting idea… it’s hard to say.. I really don’t know what I’d write as my last blog post.. maybe a thank you and reminisce with my own memories as well as ones made with my new friends/readers..? Something profound, I hope 🙂
I am going to ponder this as I want to absorb all of the information. Thanks.