How old are you is a question we ask children. Of course, after a certain age some people do not like to reveal their actual age wanting to still be a part of the younger crowd. On the other hand, when people become elderly, some like to increase their age if they look young and are physically fit, an idle from of boasting of youthfulness.
While we customarily ask and inform how long we have lived, no one likes asking or thinking of the harder question, of how long we will live. If people think of how long they have to live it would increase their entire perspective on life. For instance, when pension funds and social security systems plan funding they have already estimated how long the pensioner will live and had actuarially factored in that ratio when they decide how much to recover from you in younger working years and the investment strategies to afford the pecuniary liability when the monies are returned to you in the form of social security and pensions.
In the same vein, if people think about the years they have left to live rather than focusing on how old they are it can give a whole new dimension to life. Of course, how long you have left to live also depends on good genes, some luck and your general health condition, but all of this is very unpredictable, when accidents can also happen.
Randy Pausch, a 46-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has terminal cancer and expects to live for just a few more months. Recently, he said goodbye to his students at the Pittsburgh college with one last lecture on his life's journey and the lessons he's learned. The beloved professor at Carnegie Mellon, got a standing ovation from the 400-member audience before he even opened his mouth. "Make me earn it," he told them. The Wall Street Journal called it “the lecture of a lifetime” and those of you who have seen it would agree more. And for those of you who have not read or heard of this lecture can review "How to Live Your Childhood Dreams." it will truly teach you a lesson on planning how to live your life on earth and give yourself a grim reminder that what matters most is not how long we have lived but how long more we will live.
Those of you who know and remember the Crazy American, the late James Grant, former Executive Director of UNICEF, although he knew he had a few months to live did not give up his responsibilities to UNICEF. He talked of what has to be done for UNICEF and never ever talked of his serious illness that was going to take his life in the few remaining months. With the Executive Board in session, James Grant took up his duties and addressed the Executive Board, for the one last time. We could have dubbed it the "Last Report of James Grant to the XX session of the Executive Board. People like Randy Pausch and James Grant, have really taught us how to live our life beneficially for the time that remains.
Focusing on how long more we may live may refocus many lives for the better, both at work, the family and in other social circles. Focusing on what remains in life and the too many things that must be accomplished may show how much little time is left and how priorities and choices must be made, not just for business decision-making but also for living a sensible and honorable life to keep a better world for the unborn.
Some day we must return home, that is what we Christians believe. When we feel feel tired and weary, if not sing at least read Precious Lord Take My Hand And Lead Me On. For religions that believe in rebirth and hoping for a better life in the next birth, the principles are all the same, they too may be lead on.
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