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You Have 30 Seconds To Live. | Mini Life Hacks
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You Have 30 Seconds To Live.

August 27, 2010 -- Written by: Tim Johnson

30 Seconds Left to Live

Commonly, people pose the question: "What would I do if I had only 1 day left to live?" Answers are generally comprised of places they would go, things they would accomplish, and people they would visit.  This is a good way to help you understand the things and people that are really important to you.

Imagine now, that I told you that you have only 30 seconds left to live...

30

I'd like you to actually put yourself in this situation now.  You're sitting right where you're sitting now and wearing whatever you're wearing when you read this.  And you're all alone; at least more than 30 seconds away from any other human being.  Savor this moment.
25

What do you do with your last 25 seconds on earth?....  Do you make one last phone call?  How do you decide who to call?  And by the time you decide, is it worth calling?  What do you say, and will you be gone before you can say it?  Savor this moment.
20

How many things can you actually do in 20 seconds of life?  Do you retrieve a favorite memory or look ahead at your unfound goals?  Which memories / goals to you choose to relish?  Savor this moment.
15

You only have 15 seconds left now.  Do you panic in fear of the actual sensation of death or do you revel in the glory that was your life?  Savor this moment.
10

Death is only 10 seconds away and what have you done with the last 20 seconds?  Have you made the best possible use of them?  If only you had more time to decide what to do...  Take a look around.  Use your eyes.  Use your ears.  Look at your hands.  Savor this moment.
5

Take a deep breath of fresh air, you have 5 seconds to live.  Do you realize your own human impermanence?  Does all of the worry and dischord in your life seem distant?  None of it means anything anymore.  What does it feel like to be wearing this skin you've been wearing for so many years?  Savor this moment.
1

You have one second to live.  What does being alive feel like?  Savor this moment.
 

...The End.

 

Wait, you're still alive!  Keep reading!

In Bushido, the philosophy of the Samurai, death is always imminent.  They lived their lives as if each moment could be the last, savoring every step of the journey and always putting their best foot forward, whether it be on the battlefield or training ground, or playing with their children or drinking tea.  Death is held in the highest regard and is never forgotten by the Samurai.  All the moments in our lives lead up to it.

This exercise can help you gain a better understanding of the intrinsic nature of your human being-ness. Not really having enough time to prepare for imminence, every moment must be lived completely.  What would change about your life if every 30 seconds was your last?

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  • Tim Johnson on Fri, 01/13/2012 - 20:16

    Thanks Kalie and Jaime! I'm glad you like the articles :) It means a lot to have people post comments.

    Anonymous - I missed your comment, I know it was over a year ago... but.. You can look at it as either the beginning or the end - it doesn't matter. It's an event. It's a change in our surroundings. A paradigm shift. We can learn a lot from getting a different perspective. We can learn about ourselves and what's important to us.

  • Jaime (not verified) on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 12:00

    This is awesome Tim! I'm retweeting it now. :)

  • Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/19/2010 - 16:38

    I guess I like to look at life the exact opposite. Death is not the "end", but just the beginning. If you have no hope, then what does it matter how long you have to live? It would all be forgotten in an instant.

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