I attended a funeral today. Neal was 84 years old. He lost his wife last November; they had been together since they met at the age of 14, spending nearly their entire lives side by side. After her passing, it was as if the light in Neal’s life dimmed. Although it seemed he had lost interest in living, I doubt he wanted to go so soon. A fall left him with a bleeding head wound, and during a treatment at the ER, the doctors performed a precautionary MRI, which revealed a 4-cm brain tumor that no one had known about.

At the funeral, his family members shared prayers and stories, each one painting a picture of who Neal was to them. They spoke of his kindness as a brother, his dedication as a father, his warmth as an uncle, and his pride as a grandfather. They reminisced about his meticulous nature—how he would make the beds for the children each morning and clean up after every meal. Neal was always reliable, never forgetting a birthday or special occasion, and he made it a point to attend all his grandkids’ sports and music events.

Do you notice how, throughout our lives, our mistakes and missteps are frequently pointed out to us, yet at funerals, only our positive qualities and good deeds are highlighted. The praise and kind words flow freely, but the person they’re meant for is no longer there to hear them. Why do we wait until it’s too late to express our appreciation and love? Why can’t we uplift each other while we’re still alive, when those words can truly make a difference? To know is to change, but we can only change if we know. It’s crucial that we understand what we’ve done right and wrong in this lifetime. The course of our lives, and the lives of others, could improve tremendously if this communication happens today.

I believe we should take the time now to write eulogies for each other, not to wait for a funeral. I want my children to tell me now why they appreciate me, so I can understand what I’m doing right and where I might need to change. Let’s not wait until it’s too late to share what really matters.

Life is fragile, and death is inevitable, yet we carry on as if we’ll live forever. There are days when I find myself bored, sitting on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, hoping for something interesting to appear, even though I know nothing will. Still, I scroll and re-scroll, almost like a robot. Then, I glance out the window and realize the day is gone—another precious day wasted. This made me realize just how quickly time passes and how easily we let it slip by without noticing.

What is a day well-spent? I realize it’s a subjective question, as the answer can vary depending on who you ask, their mental state at the moment, their emotional mood for the day, and the phase of life they’re in. For me, a day well-spent is one where I am fully aware of how I spend my time during the 16 hours I’m awake. It’s about making conscious choices and engaging in activities that truly matter to me, rather than mindlessly passing time. Watching a meaningless movie, for example, can waste two precious hours. I understand that I have the power to shape my day, and that planning plays a key role in ensuring I focus on what’s important. Yet, I also recognize that life isn’t always about strict planning—sometimes, it’s about being open to the unexpected moments that bring joy and fulfillment.

I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

Up to a certain point, it is necessary for a man to live his life in the world in which he finds himself, and to make the best of it. But beyond that point, he must create a world of his own. And the greatest thing about life is that it is always giving us the opportunity to create something new. It is never too late to start over, to make a fresh beginning, to blaze a new trail.

Life is short, and we have but a brief time in which to explore, to learn, to experience, and to create. Let us make the most of that time, and let us burn brightly, like meteors across the night sky, leaving behind us a trail of light and inspiration for those who come after us.

~Jack London