Final days before departure
All the plans that Corinne and I had made for our future had to be junked. It was hard not to lament that one of the big reasons we'd sacrificed so much time together, across so many years, as I traveled the world and worked ungodly hours -- namely, so that on the other side of it we could enjoy a prosperous retirement together -- had been a tease, only we hadn't known it. In my wallet, I even carried a photo of the dream spot to which we planned to retire -- Stone Canyon, Arizona -- but that dream was gone now. Same with all my other personal goals for 2006, 2007, and every year after that.
--- Eugene O' Kelly, Chairman & CEO of KPMG (US) in Chasing Daylight
The other day, I was once again waylaid at Times Bookshop on my way to Esplanade Library. This hardcover book was placed right near the entrance and having recently finished reading Pigtopia in hardcover, I got very tempted to pick this up and browse. It moved me to action.
I began reading this morning, and the paragraph left a huge impact for the entire day. It is true, that many of us put things off and shelve them for a later date, because we believe that we will come to it later. Some of us work so hard now, because we think there'll always be time to enjoy it later.
I confess, I'm guilty of the latter thought.
But in Chasing Daylight, I was reminded to plan what I would do with the final weeks before I die. I thought about it, and it frightened me, because I'm not ready to leave.
I don't know which is worse, dying in an accident or being told you only have 3 months to live. I reckon the former will be most painful for the loved ones around me, but the latter is worse for me.
With shock and abrupt departures, there'll be regrets aplenty. When you are actually given time to plan how you are going to spend the last few weeks of your life, you have that opportunity to finish the final tasks and leave no one with regrets.
Even then, will I be ready?
I know time will never be enough.
I wonder, had Eugene known that he would have to go at a certain date at a certain time on a certain month and year, would he have been less of a businessman and more of a husband and father. Would he?
For a man like him who plans months ahead due to the nature of his job, I believe he would have a clear strategy how to live out his years if he had he known how long it would be.
The book is a strong reminder for me, how not to take my life and the lives of those I love, for granted. And maybe sometimes, we really should let go of some commitments, take time off to do the things we really want to do and, spend time with family and loved ones. Because you never know. There might not be a tomorrow for you to make up for it.
--- Eugene O' Kelly, Chairman & CEO of KPMG (US) in Chasing Daylight
The other day, I was once again waylaid at Times Bookshop on my way to Esplanade Library. This hardcover book was placed right near the entrance and having recently finished reading Pigtopia in hardcover, I got very tempted to pick this up and browse. It moved me to action.
I began reading this morning, and the paragraph left a huge impact for the entire day. It is true, that many of us put things off and shelve them for a later date, because we believe that we will come to it later. Some of us work so hard now, because we think there'll always be time to enjoy it later.
I confess, I'm guilty of the latter thought.
But in Chasing Daylight, I was reminded to plan what I would do with the final weeks before I die. I thought about it, and it frightened me, because I'm not ready to leave.
I don't know which is worse, dying in an accident or being told you only have 3 months to live. I reckon the former will be most painful for the loved ones around me, but the latter is worse for me.
With shock and abrupt departures, there'll be regrets aplenty. When you are actually given time to plan how you are going to spend the last few weeks of your life, you have that opportunity to finish the final tasks and leave no one with regrets.
Even then, will I be ready?
I know time will never be enough.
I wonder, had Eugene known that he would have to go at a certain date at a certain time on a certain month and year, would he have been less of a businessman and more of a husband and father. Would he?
For a man like him who plans months ahead due to the nature of his job, I believe he would have a clear strategy how to live out his years if he had he known how long it would be.
The book is a strong reminder for me, how not to take my life and the lives of those I love, for granted. And maybe sometimes, we really should let go of some commitments, take time off to do the things we really want to do and, spend time with family and loved ones. Because you never know. There might not be a tomorrow for you to make up for it.
posted by Me at 10:39 pm
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