Body & Soul
You’ve read the lists that compiled the 50 or 100 places and things you must see and do before you die.
These lists are great for reminding you how short life is and for showing you what you’re missing.
This list is a little different; it compiles 50 things to say before you die.
Why such a list? Because you’d be surprised how little people express their selves and say what they need to say to those who matter. You don’t want to be on your deathbed before you utter these words.
You need to say these at the appropriate times and with true meaning behind them. Reading them now does not count.
1. Thanks for everything you’ve done. – Say it to your mother, father, grandmother, or sister; whoever deserves it. Say it when it’s least expected and when it will make the most impact.
2. You’ve changed my life.
3. I need you.
4. I’ve only got one life to live. – This will give you tremendous motivation.
5. Nothing can stop me.
6. I love my life.
7. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing.
8. I can change the world.
9. I will change the world.
10. I have changed the world.
11. I’m rich without money.
12. I’m doing what I was meant to do.
13. I conquered my biggest fear.
14. Glad to help you.
15. I have all the money I need.
16. I don’t care what people think.
17. I’m honest.
18. I’m going for it!
19. I’m proud of myself.
20. I’ve failed.
21. I’ve learned from my failures.
22. I have no regrets. – Many people believe everything happens for a reason. So why would you have any regrets?
23. I don’t like my life – Of course it’s a bad thing to say. But once you’ve acknowledged that you don’t like your life you can now begin to change it.
24. I’ve never had more fun in my life.
25. You hurt me.
26. There’s more to life than this.
27. I love you no matter what.
28. I’ve accomplished a lot.
29. You’ve been successful.
30. I’m listening. – Sometimes it’s more important to listen than to talk.
31. I’m here for you.
32. Words can’t describe the way I feel.
33. I’m not giving up.
34. I don’t have any worries.
35. There is no place like home.
36. It was a pleasure to talk to you.
37. I have all the time in the world.
38. I need a hand.
39. You’re my best friend.
40. I’m glad you were here.
41. I’m just gonna go for it.
42. I can’t thank you enough.
43. I’m trusting my gut.
44. I follow my own path.
45. What a wonderful world.
46. I take full responsibility. – Own up to your mistakes, people will respect you.
47. I’m not sorry. – There are times when you shouldn’t be sorry.
48. I came, I saw, I conquered.
49. I haven’t said enough.
50. I’m not afraid.
Share anything else in the comments below you think is important to for people to say in their lifetime.
Related posts
- 75 questions to ask yourself
- 50 unconventional things to do in your lifetime
- 15 questions I want to ask you and the world
This is a guest post.
I have become a somewhat accidental expert on weight loss. How did that happen? I have been on several diets over the last 20 years and have gained and lost enough weight to clone myself.
In the last two and a half years I managed to comfort eat myself to one pound shy of what I weighed when I was nine months pregnant. I knew I was getting heavier and heavier yet I couldn’t bring myself to get back on track. I really didn’t feel like depriving myself of my goodies, my comfort. I had experienced a lot of change in my life and this was a way to fill those new voids. Did I know better? Yes!
I would say to myself “I don’t FEEL like watching everything I eat. I don’t FEEL like giving up cheese, chips and chocolate. I don’t FEEL like making the effort”. I FELT fat, ugly and lethargic and, that is exactly what I was.
That was last winter. In March the penny finally dropped for me and I made the decision to nurture myself in the right ways and get back on a track of being the healthy, energetic woman I knew I could be. (See: Choosing to Lose Weight and The Path of Lease Resistance)
Although there are many reasons why I succeeded and will continue to succeed in staying healthy, I will not get into them all here. I will tell you the one big ah-ha that I had and it has to do with FEELINGS.
I know there are many of you out there struggling to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a huge health issue here in North America (See: Obesity about far more than body image)
As I embarked on my journey to change the way I eat I had a moment where I wanted to kick myself. I was in a place of feeling deprived that I couldn’t choose to buy exactly what I felt like eating. This was while I stood in the aisle of a huge box store staring at one of easily thirty long walls of food.
How can I (we as a culture) ever, ever feel deprived as we stand in a store that could easily feed a small country? What is going on? Here I was having paid a couple of hundred dollars to join Weigh Watchers to help me learn to control myself as I cruise through the grocery store piling whatever it is I want into my basket? Duh!
Do you think it is possible to change how we feel about weight management? Can we look at it from a “glass half full” perspective? Yes! Here is the script that runs through my head now as I continue to manage my weight (I am down to my goal weight and became a lifetime member of Weight Watchers yesterday – I look and feel great).
- I am so abundant. I was able to afford to actually pay to join a weight loss program.
- I live is such an abundant country that I have unlimited choice in what I eat each day.
- I am so fortunate to have had a free education and am able to read and understand how to make this work for me easily.
- I live in an abundantly safe part of this planet where I can go out and enjoy walking each day in safety.
- I have an abundance of beautiful clean air to breath in as I exercise.
- I have an abundant supply of fresh water to drink.
- I have access to a vast variety of recipes to choose from.
- I have access to quick and easy ready-made foods that are healthy for me.
Do you get the picture? The law of the universe is simple. Like attracts like. If we feel grateful and abundant about any opportunities we have in life, we will continue to attract more opportunities.
In a world that is changing rapidly. In an economy that is waning. With media touting all that is negative. It can be difficult to choose to look for abundance in your life. But, you know it is there don’t you? All you need to do is shift your focus and change your language away from the don’t haves to the do haves. If you are sitting somewhere reading this, on a computer…then I would strongly suspect you can easily find a long list of what is abundant in your life at this moment. That is where to start. That will bring you the feelings you need to ATTRACT MORE JOY into your life.
Written by Louise Aspden of AttractMoreJoy.com.
Since the success of previous posts entitled 20 ways to change the world and 20 websites that can change your life, I’ve decide to compile a list of 20 ways YOU can change your life.
Change is all over, it’s omnipresent. Our lives and the world are always changing, whether we are aware of it or not. However the changes aren’t always what we want. This list will give you some ideas on how to change your life in a positive direction. Some are very simple and others take a lot of work.
1. Start a business
This is probably one of the more difficult ways to change your life. But if you become your own boss, you can control your own hours and control more of your life. Even if your business doesn’t succeed, you’ll have changed your life.
2. Start an exercise habit
Habits are difficult to break. If you can start an exercise regimen your life will change. You’ll be healthier, you’ll feel more productive which will motivate you to accomplish more, and exercise will help you live longer. Who wouldn’t want that?
3. Think differently
This may be the simplest way for some to change their life, while the most difficult for others. If you starting thinking about things differently and seeing them in a different way, that’ll bring immense change. Too many people make a big production out of the smallest things. When a difficult or negative event presents itself, take a moment and ask yourself questions like these:
- Is it really that bad?
- What can I learn from this?
- When will it blow over?
- Am I reacting the way I want to?
4. Get a new hobby
I’m sure there’s something you’ve always wanted to try. May be rock-climbing or surfing. Give it a go! Perhaps you’ll find a new passion, and in doing so, your life will change.
5. Read a good book
Books really do change lives, including mine. A few books that have made me think differently and grow include: Lord of the Flies, The 4-Hour Workweek, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Grab yourself some books and get reading. They might not all leave a lasting impression on you, but if one does, it’ll be worth it.
6. Meet someone new
You never know what can happen when you meet someone new. It can lead to great things, including great opportunities. If you’re shy, you can even “meet” many people online.
7. Watch a good movie
Just like a book, a movie can certainly change your life.
8. Volunteer
Your life will change along with countless others.
9. Do something different
If you can do something different each day or week to change things up a bit, you’ll be changing your life.
10. Go vagabonding
If you want to see different places and in a new way, try vagabonding.
11. Go on vacation
Don’t want go vagabonding? Then take a vacation. Go somewhere that’ll inspire or motivate you, and let your mind free.
12. Get a pet
Dog, cat, turtle, whatever animal you may like. They can bring a lot of enjoyment to your life. If you can handle the responsibility then get a pet.
13. Face a fear
Face whatever it is that you fear. Even if you can’t conquer it right away, at least give it a try.
14. Go green
Become a little more environmentally friendly.
15. Lose a bad habit
Habits are hard to break, whether they’re good or bad. Lose a bad habit like smoking and your life will change for the better.
16. Reduce negativity
Free your life from negative people, events, and negative thoughts.
17. Switch your career
If you’re bored with your current career, switch gears and get a new career.
18. Do a good deed
Do something nice for different people throughout your day and week. The good karma will bring positive change to your life.
19. See the sun rise
It’s free and can give you a whole new perspective on life and our earth.
20. Just live
If you don’t want to put forth any effort for positive change then you can just live your life. There will be changes so your life will never be the same.
This is a guest post by Charlie A. Webb
Having lived a Coney Island life
on roller coaster ups and downs
and seen my helium hopes
break skyward without me,
now arms filled with dolls
I threw so much for
I take perhaps my last ride
on this planet-carousel
and ask
how many more times round
I have
to catch that brass-ring-sun
before the game is up.
James L. Weil, A Coney Island Life
A children’s playground is an interesting analog to our tenure on earth. Watch children at play during this 15-minute recreational packet and you will discover something quite interesting. The children will quickly run onto the playground at the sound of the bell, and then seem to slow down and play at a somewhat steady, linear rate. But the moment the 2-minute warning bell is sounded, something amazing happens – the children instantly light up with activity, neurotically running from playground equipment to playground equipment, rushing, rushing, and trying to make the last few moments’ count.
I live near Palm Desert, California, and over this past year, I have noticed senior citizens in their RV’s express a similar pattern. Their lives never seemed to be that urgent. There was always time for that special project or the super vacation or all the things they hoped to get into their lives before it ended. But now, the warning bell has rung and the seniors scramble, with daily itineraries that would weary a 25-year old. The seniors rush to dance lessons, senior potlucks, golf tournaments, and tennis matches.
Though certainly many are fulfilled and happy with this arrangement, I have watched the look of ennui and lament on the faces of many seniors. Their health problems squelch total ecstasy. The neurotic need to pull themselves out on the world daily to get their fair share of living, stresses, not enhancing life but rather weakening its spirit.
When I was conducting interviews for my book, Exit Interviews, I had the opportunity to speak with seniors from all walks of life, from waitresses to World War II fighter pilots. The prevailing note was struck – the message was clear – do not wait until the end of your life to begin living. When we hear the frustrations and laments of these seniors, we have in effect time-traveled. We have, if we listened, benefited from their mistakes. It is so vital in my opinion that we too do not live in the 11th hour.
Recently, I asked an employee what his plans were for the weekend. His answer was clear and sober, “I’m going to sleep in until 11 O’clock.” I found that strong sentiment a bit bizarre. He showed up on time all week for work. Why would you not show up on time for your weekend? I have always taken my weekends and free time and endowed them with the same respect that I give my vocation.
As a drummer, I was in a band called “The Steve Barrett and the Blues Revue Band.” Just before a gig one evening, all of us were playing our own little mini-solos getting ready for the evening dance. Steve looked at all of us and said clearly, “C’mon guys, let’s get serious about having fun.” That may have been one of the most profound things anyone has ever said to me, because fun deserves organization as it does commitment. Fun, like success, is no accident. Plan for it and, most importantly, do it. If we wait until the ends of our lives for the fun to begin, we too will suffer the pains of wishing we had done more sooner. When I was 24 years old I was windsurfing in Morro bay on a Thursday sneaking from school and work for a few hours of my passion. A surly man asked me, “shouldn’t you be at work”? My answer “no sir, it will be hard to windsurf when I am old”.
In the spirit of my book “Exit Interviews”, I would like to tell you all, vigorously interview the elders In your lives, not for cookie recipes, but for the knowledge that will enrich and enhance your life. Live now, live bold, as the warning bell has rung.
Charlie A. Webb is a consultant and the founder and president of a medical packaging company. His current book project “No Food or Drinks” is a customer service book, To learn more about Charlie’s writing projects visit his website at www.charliewebb.com
An old proverb says, “He that cannot ask cannot live.” If you want answers you have to ask questions. These are 75 questions you should ask yourself and try to answer. You can ask yourself these questions right now and over the course of your life.
1. Why not me?
2. Am I nice?
3. Am I doing what I really want to do?
4. What am I grateful for?
5. What’s missing in my life?
6. Am I honest?
7. Do I listen to others?
8. Do I work hard?
9. Do I help others?
10. What do I need to change about myself?
11. Have I hurt others?
12. Do I complain?
13. What’s next for me?
14. Do I have fun?
15. Have I seized opportunities?
16. Do I care about others?
17. Do I spend enough time with my family?
18. Am I open-minded?
19. Have I seen enough of the world?
20. Do I judge others?
21. Do I take risks?
22. What is my purpose?
23. What is my biggest fear?
24. How can I conquer that fear?
25. Do I thank people enough?
26. Am I successful?
27. What am I ashamed of?
28. Do I annoy others?
29. What are my dreams?
30. Am I positive?
31. Am I negative?
32. Is there an afterlife?
33. Does everything happen for a reason?
34. What can I do to change the world?
35. What is the most foolish thing I’ve ever done?
36. Am I cheap?
37. Am I greedy?
38. Who do I love?
39. Who do I want to meet?
40. Where do I want to go?
41. What am I most proud of?
42. Do I care what others think about me?
43. What are my talents?
44. Do I utilize those talents?
45. What makes me happy?
46. What makes me sad?
47. What makes me angry?
48. Am I satisfied with my appearance?
49. Am I healthy?
50. What was the toughest time in my life?
51. What was the easiest time in my life?
52. Am I selfish?
53. What was the craziest thing I did?
54. What is the craziest thing I want to do?
55. Do I procrastinate?
56. What is my greatest regret?
57. What has had the greatest impact on my life?
58. Who has had the greatest impact on my life?
59. Do I stand up for myself?
60. Have I settled for mediocrity?
61. Do I hold grudges?
62. Do I read enough?
63. Do I listen to my heart?
64. Do I donate enough to the less fortunate?
65. Do I pray only when I want something?
66. Do I constantly dwell on the past?
67. Do I let other people’s negativity affect me?
68. Do I forgive myself?
69. When I help someone do I think “What’s in it for me”?
70. Am I aware that someone always has it worse than me?
71. Do I smile more than I frown?
72. Do I surround myself with good people?
73. Do I take time out for myself?
74. Do I ask enough questions?
75. What other questions do I have?
Related Articles
- 50 unconventional things to do in your lifetime
- 50 things to say before you die
- 20 Websites That Can Change Your Life
