Photo by Simon Matzinger on Unsplash
Perhaps a bit heavy for the day after a holiday, but I’ve been thinking about these questions a lot recently.
What would you do if:
- You woke up tomorrow and were independently wealthy – you don’t have to worry about money for the rest of your life. What would you do with your days? How would they be different?
- You found out you had only 6 months to live?
I am so grateful that my answers to both of these things are pretty much the same: I would do what I’m doing now more or less.
I would, of course, want to spend more time with family and friends, and with more money, I would give more away, but as far as my daily life and routine is concerned, I wouldn’t change much; aside from being so far away from extended family, it is fulfilling.
I was listening to a Rich Roll podcast the other day and the second question came up: what would you do if you had only four-six months to live? The answer is meant to give you clarity on what is truly important in your life and then the drive to work towards making that happen for you now, instead of waiting.
I played along and was a little surprised by my answer. Not really, because as I mentioned before, my life goal is to save all the dogs. But almost instantly, I knew, that if I had a limited time to live, I wouldn’t want to HAVE anything; I would get rid of it as fast as I could so I could use proceeds to help animals. And then I would spend my time with family/friends and trying to save as many dogs as possible.
I also realized quickly that I have no regrets – I would not look back and say I wish I’d done this or that or whatever. Okay, maybe I would have handled money better, and not wasted so much of it on “stupid tax,” but in general, I’m comfortable with the decisions I’ve made in my life which have gotten me where I am now.
Of course, not one of us knows what we would actually do if we knew we had only a certain amount of time to live. We think we would do x, y, or z, but there are so many variables to consider. And I don’t mean to make light of such a thing, I just thought it was an interesting exercise; it did, indeed, clarify for me what is most important to me, and what I would like to do more of while I’m still here.
And the first question I heard on James Altucher’s podcast with Noah Kagan (episode 248). As soon as he said it, I knew my answer just as quickly: I wouldn’t really change anything. Yes, with more money I would travel more and do more with my family, and I would volunteer more, and send more money to charities, but otherwise, I am doing RIGHT NOW, everyday, the things that make me happy and fill my days with meaning. How amazing is that?
I am so grateful.
I’m not sure I realized HOW grateful I am to have the life I do until I analyzed these two questions. And that is what surprised me the most, my certainty. I know that I am doing what I love and what I want to be doing right now, no second-guessing. No looking back. No regrets. I am free and at peace.
I’d love to hear your answers if you’re willing to share. Anyway, maybe just thinking about these questions will surprise you a little? Or provide some much-needed clarity?
My husband and I play the “what if we win the lottery” daydream game sometimes, when we’re sitting outside at our bonfire, etc. I typically say I’d travel more but still work and I’d like to be able to give more $ in research (at work 😉 If I were dying soon is harder but…..I spent the weekend thinking about how happy I am and how lucky I am to like my life so much…..(I mean – I’ve worked hard to get where I am, but some things *are* luck, so….A little bit of inspiration, a lot of perspiration?)
1. Easy peasy. Hire a fleet of expert lawyers and become a self-funded professional philanthropist! My dream job! Having worked in non-profits and volunteered on the front line of vulnerable communities, I have a lot of very targetted ideas with respect to gaps and deficiencies. I would also like to fund some research on administrative models in non-profits, particularly those working on the front line. I have the view that many of the organizational (and outcome) problems are caused by a lack of transparency, on the one hand, and overly authoritative, hierarchical management, on the other. Did anyone say “collective?”
2. Ouch! With only 6 months, I would probably spend all of it just organizing everything and everyone I love so that there would be no extra costs or burdens on anyone during or after my passing. For those who have had to do this for someone else, it is an endless, merciless, thankless job. I’m not sure anyone would want to spend anymore time with me than they already do but I’d sure encourage them to ask any questions or get anything off their chests about me. lol!
I think I’d be doing the same thing too. Psychiatry is always interesting and I’m lucky to have formation of deep human connections built into my profession. Can’t think of anything more rewarding. But if I were wealthy, I would probably take more vacations and only work 2-3 days per week, and dress in elizabeth suzann everyday =).
Thanks for sharing your answers, Grechen! I think I’m somewhat like you in that I find my life fulfilling, but my first thought was “Travel!!!” Bill and I haven’t done very much of it and we would both live to, so that’s something we’re focusing on. Also like you, volunteering…but I don’t have to get rich to do that! I can do it now.
It’s sad, but when my best friend knew she only had several months to live, she withdrew and isolated herself. It was so hard to get through to her. I never really did. I guess we never know how we’ll truly handle it until that time comes. <3
We're not even going to talk about how much "stupid tax" I've paid! 🙂
Great questions Grechen-
I’m doing what I love to do which is teach on an Elementary school level. I wouldnt quit if I won the lottery. I want to travel more as well. I’d like to use the creative side of my brain and do more make-up. I am a make-up artist and stopped working for make-up companies when I graduated. Now I do friends and family and an occassional job.
Keep it up Grechen youre beautiful and awesome,xogena
yes, we are all so individual in how we deal with things. in the podcast i was listening to, a woman stood up and mentioned that she had been given x time to live and then outlived it, thinking back, she said she lived as if she would live forever, AND at the same time lived as if she had x time. i thought that was interesting…taking risks, doing everything you can think of, while at the same time being hyper focused on the few things that are really important.
and i can actually imagine how it could be easy to withdraw in that situation. especially if you’re already somewhat of an introvert. i can only imagine how emotional and difficult it must be to see people you knew would be sad in the end…sigh.
haha.. yes, elizabeth suzann all the time 🙂
wow, both your answers are so good. i agree on number 2 – (i know nothing about number 1, although i wish you could do it right now, i think the world of philanthropy could use your help..) i would probably do the same thing, want to take care of everything first so as not to become a burden…
yes, travel. always more travel.
i think it’s great that you’re happy now – so many people aren’t, sadly…
Thanks, friend. And my M.O. is to try to bring them out of it by being cheerful. Sometimes, cheerful just does t help.
I held off answering this. In either scenario I would quit my job. There are so many other ways I’d rather spend my time. Travel, family, and friends being the top three. If money and insurance weren’t an issue I’d rather spend my time volunteering at my son’s school and a food pantry. If I had just six months to live there are lot of things I’d want to get organized for my loved ones.
And these are all things I should be working on right now.
That was a line from Zorba the Greek that a lot of people used as a senior quote in the yearbook in high school – I know I’ll get it wrong but one man says I live every day as if it’s my last and the other man says and I live every day as if it’s my first and who has the right of it?
Oh, I’d also have a personal trainer 3 days a week. Because that’s the only way I’ll exercise is when someone makes me do it 🙂
“Look, one day I had gone to a little village. An old grandfather of ninety was busy planting an almond tree. ‘What, grandfather!’ I exclaimed. ‘Planting an almond tree?’ And he, bent as he was, turned around and said: ‘My son, I carry on as if I should never die.’ I replied: ‘And I carry on as if I was going to die any minute.’
Which of us was right, boss?”
? Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek
1. I definitely wouldn’t quit my job. I love what I do (environmental scientist) and I truly believe in what I am researching (product launch next week! I’m so excited to share our discoveries).
I’d love to be a little more flexible in where I could work (my partner and I really would like to spend the southern hemisphere winters in the North)……maybe being independently wealthy I could just take contracts whenever, wherever?
Or maybe I could set up some more research funding? Finding funding is the bane of every scientist’s existence!
2. I would liquidate and set up trust funds for my nephews with the proceeds.
I’m not sure I would be more help or hindrance, but thank you so very much for your confidence in me! Warmed my heart! So kind!