Alana

This was given to me by friend Michael Rubano. It was written by Alana shortly before she passed away:

Today I know a secret that I didn't know then. Well, it's hardly a secret. It's a profound truth really, that everybody knows.

We are dying.

Hardly anyone acknowledges this. Few people live as though this could be their last breath. If we did the world would be so different. There would be more joy, more gratitude and certainly more love.

Instead, Death is hardly considered without fear, dread, loss, anxiety.

I know a secret. Death is not the enemy. It is an ally, reminding us to live each moment to the fullest. To be the best we can in every situation.

I get to understand this secret because I am dying. This knowledge is encouraging me to live every minute. How can we know how to live if we don't know how to die?

Acceptance, acknowledgment, maybe we could find a little appreciation for the miracle that eventually the spirit and the body separate. Is that so awful? How is it we get so attached to all this gross matter?

We are attached for all the wrong reasons. If we are not feeling love and gratitude for who we are and what we have then we are not living; we are merely existing. If we do not live with love and joy, I 'm certain death will not contain them either.

So now is your chance; here is the secret.

Live every moment as if there was nothing more important than joy, than gratitude, than love. Put these wonders into everything you do... your finances, your chores, your work, your friends and family. And I promise you will never fear death or anything else and your love will be returned a thousand fold.

Alana