If today was your last day

Yesterday I was on my way to work when I received the tragic news that one of the kids I grew up with and then worked with for a few years tragically passed away in a car accident the day before. I haven't seen him in a few years, but nevertheless it was a shock to the system. He was only twenty two years old and had his whole life ahead of him, a genuinely lovely guy who was amazing at his job, and skilled beyond his years. On Tuesday the earth lost a wonderful person, and though I didn't know him very well, the words written by his friends and family on Facebook in the twenty four hours since his passing show just how much he was loved and respected.

I turned the radio off in the car for some silence and prayer. As I asked God to watch over him and his family I found it harder to concentrate, and to fathom why such a tragedy had occurred. I realised that accidents like this happen every day, but this time it was someone I knew and it got me thinking about life. No matter how hard I tried to push it out of my head, one song kept coming back into my head on repeat. That song: If today was your last day by Nickelback. I don't know what that says about my musical tastes, but it was the words that kept resounding with me.

It is such a reminder to love every day like it is your last day... And I'm not saying go spend all your money or intentionally tempt fate by doing risky things, because then the chances of it being your last actually do increase. Every day I thank God for giving me another day on earth.
"Each day's a gift and not a given right."

I don't know when I will leave this earth, but I hope and pray it's not any time soon because I still have so much I want to do, so much I want to see, and so much I want to give to the world. I'm so lucky that I have the amazing job, wonderful friends and loving family that I do and it's time to start appreciating that more.

I've read a bunch of articles and watched a bunch of TED talks that echo that sentiment, and if you haven't been motivated to make the most of every day and to stop making excuses check out the link below.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/100-incredible-things-learned-watching-70-hours-ted-talks-last-week.html

And if that isn't motivational enough. Check out this pep talk from Kid president. "It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance."

Stop making excuses and live and love every moment like it was your last, cause you never know when it will be!

And in the meantime, have a listen to Nickelback.

If today was your last day.

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less travelled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

What if, what if, if today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side