Advice from someone who almost passed away
Artwork: Lysander Colindres
Life vs. death
Once you have faced the thought of death before you truly start living, your whole life changes. The way you perceive even the smallest details from how you talk to your loved ones, to deciding to take that last-minute trip with your best friends, changes.
I had a 0.01% chance of surviving the rarest brain amoeba in the world in August of 2021. Just from swimming in a Minnesota lake. “How did you survive?” I can’t give you an answer; I wish I knew. I was considered a “miracle” by my doctors at the Mayo Clinic and the CDC. I take a “miracle” as another chance to start living my life, and I want to share advice from someone who has always been told to “live your life like it’s the last day.” I never believed this until my experience; I share this to tell you that life is short. Spend every moment enjoying it.
Say “Yes”, Even to the Craziest Ideas.
As someone who has lived in the same town I have grown up in, it is hard to come out of my shell and do things that I typically would not participate in. I have sheltered myself from going out of the country for the first time or getting asked to skydive. I think we all get into a cycle of adapting to our lifestyle; it makes it hard to switch things up and do uncomfortable things.
As I was sitting in the hospital bed, every instance came to mind when I turned down an idea or an adventure I knew could have benefited me in some way. I regret the things I wish I would have done before knowing I might pass away sooner than I thought. Say “yes” to everything. No matter what it is. Your friends want to go backpacking in Europe? “Yes.” Your job asked you to move locations based on the position? “Yes.” I know the initial thought of leaving something so important to you, but the question “What could have happened?” is worse than taking the chance that was offered to you on a platter. Do the things that make you uneasy; that is where growth meets new experiences and challenges. The next time someone asks you to do something out of the ordinary, always say “yes.”
2. Always Say, “I Love You.”
I know, you’ve heard this before. The words “I love you” have so much power. Yet, sometimes we don’t say it enough. When my parents would leave the hospital after long days of watching me getting poked by needles, the words “I love you” had a new meaning to them. I had a wrench in my gut every time they left, knowing that it was possibly the last time I would speak to them. It made me reframe what the words meant to me in my personal life. I learned that sometimes, you never know when the last time you will talk to someone.
Life is a game, and sometimes, it isn’t in your favor. No matter what is going on in your life, your friendships, family, etc, if you love them, tell them. Those simple words are easy to say, yet have so much meaning to them. Even if it is a phone call or text, it lets the other person know how much they mean to you and the place they have in your life. No matter if you are hurting, mad, or even upset; always say, “I love you.” Those might be the last words they hear from you. Make that an impact on their life and yours as well.
Final Thoughts
The conversation around death is intimidating; I get it. I don’t think anyone is fully prepared to leave this earth for good — or knows what that might look like. Only you can control the present. What you do now makes up what stories you can tell later. Do the things that scare you, go on that last-minute road trip, wake up and see the sunrise. Be thankful this is the life you are given. No matter what is going on in your life. Make it a goal to be in the “now,” and pause for a minute. Breathe. Take it all in.
This gift you were given is “life,” and it is your chance to make the best out of it. So do it.