How To Live a Life

My brother dropped dead last week.

I am sorry to start a Noticing in such a depressing way, but in fact, that is what happened. He had a sudden heart attack and was gone.

So this blog post is probably the most presumptuous kind of writing you can read. Who am I to tell you how to live a life? Of course there is plenty of this advice from self-help, spiritual and religious sources. But actually, I don’t really want to tell you how to live your life. I just want to write about what conclusions I am drawing from this shocking experience. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

     1.     Laugh as much as possible and try to get others to laugh.

There is much pain and sadness in the world. Savor the good and the funny. Enjoy yourself as much as you can. That’s what I think, anyway.

     2.     Give generously of your time and talents to whoever can use them most.

Not only should you use your talents to help others because you shouldn’t hoard your gifts, but it will make you happier, much happier. That’s what I think, anyway.

     3.     Nurture your forgiving heart.

As I have written many times before, we are all full of Human Idiosyn-Crazies ™, which I usually define as the endearingly dumb things we all do. But sometimes, they are not that endearing. But he who has never been a pain in the butt to someone at some time, is the only one who should be allowed to present a holier than thou demeanor.  That’s what I think, anyway.

     4.     Learn as much as you can about how the world works and how other people in other cultures live.

It makes us gain perspective. We begin to really understand that we are not the center of the universe. That’s what I think, anyway.

     5.     Celebrate everything you can.

You never know when you will leave this earth. Acknowledge every accomplishment you can, both yours and your family’s and your friends’. Nothing is too small to celebrate. I have written before on why we should celebrate all kinds of things. Make up your own reasons. But celebrate often. That’s what I think, anyway.

My brother is gone.

I will remember him with laughter and understanding.

© 2016 Margery Leveen Sher