“Live as if death is just over your left shoulder,” advised the Yaqui medicine man Don Juan.
Yes! I thought as soon as I heard this decades ago,
That’s how I want to live.
Recently someone told me they thought it was depressing and morbid.
No way.
This is not a call to be obsessed with death
or to fear death or to try
to run from death.
It's a call to turn toward the bright reality of your life
and to embrace it.
It's a wake up call.
It's liberating.
It's the dive into a glacial lake
when you leap out shaking with joy.
More alive.
Your senses freshened, clarified,
energized, sharpened.
Wake up.
Remember.
This is precious.
Someday - who knows when -
you will not have this.
Be present.
Be intentional.
Be aware.
Be thankful.
Be grateful for everything you have now.
Stop taking yourself so damn seriously.
This earth body, this time here and now,
is but a moment,
soon to be dust.
Star dust, perhaps.
Transmogrified, perhaps.
Ascended, perhaps.
Just not this.
THIS YOU ONLY GET NOW.
Death at Your Shoulder is not the sinister grim reaper who sneaks up to snatch life away.
Death at Your Shoulder is the ally who loves you so much they will nudge you up early to see the sunrise.
Remind you that you could be more.
Maybe more loving, courageous,
true, fun, adventurous, creative,
on-purpose, playful or
(what other more-ness is
calling you?).
Death at Your Shoulder is the one who reminds you
again and again:
Look! Now. Life is a gift whose time will run out.
Show up. Now.
Love it. Now.
Don’t you dare squander it
complaining
hiding
avoiding
blaming
judging
fixing
postponing
busy-ing
or any of the other many things
you do- I do- we all do - when we forget,
or when we let fear distract us.
Remember.
Stop behaving as if you have forever.
Stop taking anything for granted.
Let yourself be shattered by amazement and
enlivened by the wonder of the tiniest moment.
Remember what matters and say
Yes, I see you.
Yes, I embrace you.
Yes, I accept this as a worthy life practice.
Yes, I choose to live awake.
Honoring Death at Your Left Shoulder as ally:
How will you live today?
