My third story

is about death

When I was 17,

I read a quote that went something like:

"If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right."

It made an impression on me,

and since then, for the past 33 years

I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself:

"If today were the last day of my life,

would I want to do what I am about to do today?"

And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row,

I know I need to change something

Remembering that I'll be dead soon

is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life

Because almost everything

all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure

these things just fall away in the face of death,

leaving only what is truly important

Remembering that you are going to die

is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose

You are already naked

There is no reason not to follow your heart