My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like,

If you live each day as if it was your last,

someday you'll most certainly be right. It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I've

looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, if today were the last day of my life,

would I want to do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answer has been no for too many

days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

Because almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, these things just fall

away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking

you have something to lose.

You are already naked.

There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7.30 in the morning, and it

clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was.

The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable

and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months.

My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order,

which is doctor's code for prepare to die.

It means to try and tell your kids everything.

You thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months.

...