1. DON'T WAIT
When people are dying, it is easy for them to recognize that every minute, every breath counts. But the truth is, death is always with us. Everything is constantly changing. Nothing is permanent.
This idea can both frighten and inspire us. Yet, embracing the truth of life’s precariousness helps us to appreciate its preciousness. We stop wasting our lives on meaningless activities. We learn to not hold our opinions, our desires, and even our own identities so tightly. Instead of pinning our hopes ona better future, we focus on the present and being grateful for what we have in front of us right now. We say, “I love you” more often. We become kinder, more compassionate and more forgiving. ----Frank Ostaseski
One of my brilliant dancers in class said she thinks about what she would do if she passed, and was given 24 hours on earth. Wow. I don't know about you, but I'd have a different sort of day that I normally do. In fact, I'd probably spend the whole day drinking coffee and smelling that sweet part of my son's skin, you know where the neck and ear meet- there'd be a lot of nuzzling. But I digress.
Though most of us can't live every day like it's our last, we can attune to the fact that any day may be our last. It's not morbid, it's reality. And knowing this, how would we live in general? How would we dance? How would we inhabit these body-beings, with love, kindness or pressure and harshness? Which exercises, foods, trips, business choices, and social pleasures and obligations would we relate to? What words would we share with the people we adore? What words would we share with ourselves?
This week, I've been experimenting with dancing as if it were the last dance, I don't want to wait for another time- I want live with the understanding of the preciousness of now.
I found moments of deep exhilaration as if my feet were flying through clouds. I had times of deep stillness and silence in which my breath rocked me. I pushed against the floor, swam through space, gave myself chills when my hair brushed against my face, and most of all, I let myself have it. Because what if that was my last dance? I'd really want to be there for it.
So don't wait. Now is the time, this is the place. Death is calling us to wake-up to life.