“If today was your last day | And tomorrow was too late” Last Day Of Life

If Today Were Your Last Day of Life

Chad Robert Turton (a/k/a Chad Kroeger) wrote a song that asked the seemingly simple, yet incredibly complex, question on behalf of the Canadian rock group Nickelback:

What would you do “…if today were your last day and tomorrow was too late?”

Every time I hear these words I think of my relatives, friends, and colleagues who died before their time and didn’t know, until the last moments of life, that they had lived their last day. Did they have regrets? Would they have lived their last day differently?

It’s a question that sooner or later I will face myself.

There will come a time when I die and I will be asking these same questions of myself and my life.

Some people have a pretty good idea of when their last day of life will be and are given both the blessing and curse of being able to reflect on the past and decide on what is most important for them before time runs out. These people can set their final priorities, right previous wrongs, and make their last days meaningful, fulfilling, and spiritual. They can live their final moments with intent and resolve.

Most people, however, don’t know when the end will come and often do not spend even a moment thinking about whether they are living life to its fullest or just going through the motions. Most of the time I fall into this latter group, even though I know that at any moment I may die.

More often than I want to admit, I take my life for granted and live as if my time is endless. I know that I am wrong but, no matter how hard I try, I have had the internal strength to be different and better.

In this column, I am going to document my thoughts on life, death, and my personal effort to live with more intent and greater fulfillment. Hopefully, this will help me die without regrets, and with a feeling of fulfillment and spirituality. And, maybe my thoughts will help others achieve greater satisfaction and contentment.

Song: “If Today Was Your Last Day”

Artist: Nickelback

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said, “Each day’s a gift and not a given right.
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled.
That first step you take is the longest stride.”

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say “goodbye” to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you had?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live it as you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say “goodbye” to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
‘Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say “goodbye” to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you had?
(Would you? Would you?)

And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day