How to Take the Chance Before You

B'SD

7 Cheshvan, 5773

Last night I was in on a training session for paraprofessionals helping chronically and/or terminally ill people to face their situations with dignity and compassion. 

The group leader reminded us of a wonderful song by Tim McGraw, Live Like You Were Dying. It teaches us to take the chance before us, not to let it go neglected.

 Here are the lyrics/words to the song: 

He said "I was in my early forties 

With a lot of life before me 

And a moment came that 

stopped me on a dime 

I spent most of the next days 

Looking at the x-rays 

Talkin' 'bout the options 

And talkin' 'bout sweet time" 

I asked him "When it sank in 

 That this might really be 

the real end 

How's it hit you 

When you get 

that kind of news? 

Man, what'd you do?"

He said "I went skydiving 

I went Rocky Mountain climbing 

I went 2.7 seconds on a bull 

named Fu Man Chu 

And I loved deeper 

And I spoke sweeter 

And I gave forgiveness 

I'd been denying" 

And he said "Someday I hope you 

get the chance 

To live like you were dying" 

 He said "I was finally the husband 

That most of the time I wasn't 

And I became a friend a 

friend would like to have 

And all of a sudden going fishin' 

Wasn't such an imposition 

And I went three times 

that year I lost my dad 

I finally read the Good Book, and 

I Took a good, long, hard look 

At what I'd do if 

I could do it all again

And then I went skydiving 

I went Rocky Mountain climbing 

I went 2.7 seconds on a bull 

named Blue Manchu 

And I loved deeper 

 And I spoke sweeter 

And I gave forgiveness 

I'd been denying" 

And he said "Someday I hope 

you get the chance 

To live like you were dying 

Like tomorrow was a gift 

And you've got eternity 

To think about 

What you'd do with it 

What could you do with it 

What did I do with it? 

What would I do with it? 

 Skydiving 

I went Rocky mountain climbing 

I went 2.7 seconds on a bull 

named Blue Manchu 

And I loved deeper 

And I spoke sweeter 

And I watched an eagle 

as it was flying" 

And he said "Someday I hope 

you get the chance 

To live like you were dying 

To live like you were dying 

To live like you were dying..."

 
Thought-provoking stuff, eh?

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The book will soon go out of print so I can have a clear conscience while completing the 3rd, updated edition. It will hold even more Global Resources and more tips about coping with your medical and/or mental health situation.

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. 
Face Your Future with Optimism.