1.1 What Would You Do with 12 Months to Live?
INSTRUCTIONS: Read and respond to the following two discussion posts.
Diamond
Watching the documentary made me think about how easily life can slip away while we’re caught up in routines, responsibilities, and the pursuit of stability. The documentary followed Dr. Dave on a 12-month journey to rediscover joy and purpose showing that sometimes we need to take a step back and ask ourselves what truly matters. One of the biggest takeaways was the idea of intentional living is being present, embracing change, and pursuing what brings fulfillment. It reminded me that even through challenges we still have the power to shape our experiences and find joy.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” This verse reminds me that life isn’t endless and I don’t want to look back and feel like I should have put my time and efforts into things that were more meaningful. I’ve spent a lot of time focused on responsibilities, ambitions, and even stress, but if I knew I only had 12 months left I’d want to shift my focus. I’d want to be more intentional in how I treat people, making sure my words and actions align with my values. I’d want to extend more grace and patience, not letting small frustrations get in the way of meaningful relationships. At the same time, I wouldn’t want to abandon my drive. I’d just want to make sure I’m using it to create something that lasts beyond me.
If I had 12 months left, I’d focus on three main things. First, I’d prioritize relationships, making sure my loved ones know how much they mean to me. I wouldn’t let small disagreements or misunderstandings get in the way of spending as much time as possible with them. Second, I’d focus on personal growth through my career, my faith, and make attempts to become the best version of myself. I wouldn’t hold back on chasing dreams, because there would be no “later” to fall back on. Lastly, I’d find a way to give back, whether through mentorship, a nonprofit, or something that helps others long after I’m gone. This exercise really made me think why wait for an expiration date to live like this? Maybe the best takeaway is that I should start making these changes now, while I still have time.
1.1 Ashley
Summary of your notes on key points from the documentary.
Following the death of his father and feeling vocationally stagnated, Dr. Dave began to ponder ways in which to regain his joy and laughter. He asked himself an important question, not what does the world need but, “What makes me come alive?” He identified three things he wanted to do in order to regain his laugh. 1) Wander and travel. 2) Write and record; possibly make a living doing that. 3) Live in awe and wonder. He was struggling with finding joy and meaning in his life and wanted to look for the clues (breadcrumbs) as to what would bring him happiness and make him come alive again, much like Hansel and Gretel finding their way back home by following the breadcrumbs they left behind. The breadcrumbs were little pieces of evidence he could use to put together the puzzle of what would bring him joy. He found these breadcrumbs in films, stories, quotes, pictures, and so forth that deeply resonated with him and gave him insight as to his next move in life. He moved into a mindset of gratitude for what he had and used what brought him joy in order to get himself unstuck and move in the right direction of his life.
As you consider the brevity of life, looking back and into your future, how do you want your life, reactions to others, and service to be different or stay the same?
I want my life to count for something, and it does. I want people to have an encounter with me, either briefly or long-lasting, and come away feeling good and empowered. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” I want those memories of me to bring happiness to others. I would like to increase my service as time passes, and I may be able to provide more. I have already started to change little things in my life and let certain things go. I try to change my tone and speak sweeter and with more compliments and praise to people. The spoken word is so powerful, so why not say things that uplift someone? I have much to offer the world, and being of service makes me feel good.
List at least three items representing what you would do with 12 months to live.
1. See the world, travel. Experience different places, people, and cultures and experience what unites people. Hear different languages and eat different foods. Go to NYC, Paris, and Italy, among others.
2. Experience true beauty and be awestruck. This goes along with travel but travel specifically to be awed by the natural wonders of the world, like watching a pod of dolphins while sailing in a Catamaran, seeing the Northern Lights, or hiking in a place like Machchu Pichu or seeing the waterfalls of Yosemite.
3. I would write letters of appreciation to people I love and express to everyone who has meant something to me how I feel. Maybe have a big party and invite everyone I like. I would try to make books/photo albums/letters for each of my children. Perhaps I would even videotape myself reading the letters to each of them.
4. Experience true peace, serenity, and joy.
5. Do something crazy like skydiving, scuba diving, or singing karaoke, something I ordinarily would be too afraid to do.
