The Brevity of Life…

Last week, I was bombarded with reminders of the shortness of life. It was a week of thought-provoking events, and a time of reflection on the brevity of life.

A week ago Saturday, I attended a funeral for a past coworker that I had known for more than 50 years. And I had known his wife for nearly that long. Jim will be missed. I mourn with his family.

On Wednesday, a good friend and fellow Legacy Builder, Mike Bauer died of a massive heart attack while driving to a morning appointment. He was stopped at a stoplight when his heart stopped beating. Even though there was a police officer right behind him at the stop, Mike never made it to the hospital.

I had lunch on Thursday with another dear friend and fellow fly fisherman who is showing signs of dementia. He’s having a hard time accepting it. We didn’t talk about it, but it’s there.

On Friday, I visited a close friend and fellow FATC member, Terry Stratmann who was recently diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. Just a few weeks ago, Terry was discussing with me the fly fishing trip to Montana that he had planned for he and his grandson. Now, Terry is at Barnes Hospital receiving cancer treatment. His form of lymphoma is very rare so there hasn’t been much research done on it. Need I say more?

Also on Friday, I got a text from fellow FATC member, Matt Thal that his mom passed away that morning. What a loss! I mourn with Matt.

All these events I just mentioned occurred in just one week.

Early one morning this week, during my quiet time I came upon several notable quotes. Although they hit me like a glass of cold water in the face, I think they were a God-sent messages I needed to read. They also led me to reevaluate how I’m choosing to spend the rest of my brief time here on earth.

I thought I’d share some of these quotes with you. Maybe we could all use a reality check now and then to get some perspective on what’s really important. We are each given just so many days here on earth and each day is a gift. How we spend our time is each man’s choice, but perhaps it’s wise to seek significance in how we spend those days.

As you read and hopefully reflect on these quotes remember: Direction, not intentions determine destination. I pray that each of us is moved beyond good intentions. Life on earth is short, and then you die.

Quotes to ponder:

Walter Mosley, an American novelist, most widely known for his crime fiction, once wrote, “We born dyin’, but you ask a man an’ he talk like he gonna live forevah.”

“Death never comes at the right time, despite what mortals believe. Death always comes like a thief.”   —Christopher Pike

“Most people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75.”  —Benjamin Franklin

“There is absolutely no worse death curse than the humdrum existence of the living dead.”  —Anthon St. Maarten

“Every man dies; not every man really lives.”   —William Wallace (Think Braveheart with Mel Gibson.)

“If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”  —Martin Luther King Jr.

“The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, to the fullest. Do what matters, now.”   —Lea Babauta

“Live your life in such a way that you’ll be remembered for your kindness, compassion, fairness, character, benevolence, and a force for good who had much respect for life, in general.”  —Germany Kent

“I don’t want my life to be defined by what is etched on a tombstone. I want it to be defined by what is etched in the lives and hearts of those I’ve touched.”  Steve Maraboli

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  —Jim Elliot…a 28-year-old American missionary who was martyred in 1956 in the Ecuadorian jungle along with four missionary friends. He was no fool!

“Lord make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life may be an exhibit to the value of knowing God.”   —Jim Elliot

“When your time comes to die, make sure all you have left to do is die.”   —Jim Elliot

Feel free to comment on the FATC Forum…and contact me if you would like to discuss a life of legacy and significance.