This week I was talking with some people about my book. When I told them that the central theme to my book is embracing your own mortality, they told me that they could never embrace their own mortality. I explained that it's really a three step process:
- First, you need to ACKNOWLEDGE your mortality.
- Then, you need to ACCEPT your mortality.
- Finally, you will come to EMBRACE your mortality.
Don't get me wrong - these three "simple" steps can be incredibly difficult, painful and take a long time. But the rewards are incredible!!
As with most life-altering processes, the first step is the most difficult.
So today, I want to provide an exercise to help YOU begin to acknowledge your own mortality. Ready? (This won't hurt a bit. I promise!)
You should allow yourself at least an hour for this exercise. Try to ensure that your are uninterrupted. Get a clean sheet of paper. Lined paper would be best, but blank paper will also work.
Now, begin by writing down the names of all the people you know who've lived forever. Be sure not to miss anyone.
Next, make a list of people who've gotten out of this world without dying.
Take as much time as you need and use both sides of the paper if necessary.
Obviously this "exercise" is intended as a joke. My intention is to have you think about the cold, hard facts.
Everyone dies.
Everything that is alive - eventually dies.
This is the rule and their are no exceptions.
Once you've acknowledged this central truth of life, you can begin to move ahead into acceptance.
ENJOY NOW!
