Is the advice to live as if today is your last day valuable?

The advice to live life as if today were your last day is frequently echoed, but it's a comment that has never quite resonated with me. Recently, as I encountered it again, I came to realize how potentially damaging it could be, steering one towards impulsive decisions.

In my younger years, my outlook on life was markedly different. If faced with the knowledge that I'd meet my end the next day, I would likely have opted to spend that time reveling and indulging in whatever pleasure I wanted at the time. Consequences would have been brushed aside as I surrendered to every whim and fancy.

Now, with the responsibilities of a spouse and children, my perspective has shifted. A hypothetical last day would prompt me to meticulously review my financial affairs, ensuring my loved ones are left in the best possible position. I would spend quality time with those close to me.

The stark contrast between these two perspectives illustrates why I harbor disdain for this advice. Most of us won't meet our demise tomorrow. While the possibility exists, there's just as much chance we'll live for another fifty years.

Consequently, embracing a life devoid of consequences and yielding to every impulse is reckless. Yet, overly obsessing over planning to the extent that we forsake peace and happiness in the present is equally detrimental.

For me, a preferable approach has always been to be present. Mastering the art of living in the present moment is challenging. Many of us are consumed by thoughts of the past or aspirations for the future, both of which detract from our present contentment.

By learning to inhabit the present, we can perceive our lives in a new light. We relinquish worry about the future and regret over the past, simply relishing each moment as it unfolds. Whether joyful or painful, we acknowledge the moment's essence and ease into a serene state of mind.

If this concept is unfamiliar, there's a wealth of resources available on living in the moment. One recommendation is The Present by Spencer Johnson, a book that effortlessly conveys a profound message about quieting our incessant thoughts to find tranquility and beauty in the moment.

Another insightful read is Set Yourself Free by Reon Schutte. Despite enduring torture as a prisoner of war, Schutte discovered inner peace by embracing the present moment. His book elucidates how he underwent a mental transformation and asserts that we all possess the capacity for the same.

Even when the present moment equals pain and misfortune, we can learn to appreciate it. Schutte does a wonderful job in his book outlining this from his qualified perspective.

The objective is to gradually diminish negative thoughts stemming from excessive worry about the future or lingering on the past. By cultivating presence, we attain mental clarity to navigate life's complexities.

Living as if tomorrow spells our demise may lead us to recklessly squander our savings in a frenzy in Las Vegas, or it may paralyze us with dread over impending doom.

Rather than striving to live as if our days are numbered, let's learn to enjoy the present moment. By quieting the clamor of past and future thoughts, we can focus on the here and now, gaining a richer perspective and fostering a more fulfilling, joyous life.