A Reminder to Myself: Cherish Time, Chase Purpose

I want this to be a heart-to-heart. Over the past few months, I’ve lost people who were incredibly close to me. That kind of loss forced me to confront something we all tend to avoid—my own mortality. It’s strange how most of us live as if death doesn’t apply to us. We may acknowledge it in passing, but the conversations often feel distant and surface-level. That’s because, until we experience deep personal loss, death remains abstract. But when you lose someone who was a part of your life, it’s a stark reminder that it’s not just an idea—it’s our inevitable reality too.

What’s even more sobering is that we don’t know when it’s going to happen. Yet we carry on, living in denial, as if we have all the time in the world. I remember my dad once telling me, “Death is born with us the moment we enter this world. It walks with us like a shadow, and when it finally stands in front of us, it consumes us.” The imagery stuck with me. It’s like a black hole that pulls everything in, leaving nothing behind. It’s unsettling to think about, which is why most people shy away from talking about it. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable, and none of us want to face the end of our journey. But maybe that’s exactly why we should think about it—because knowing there’s an end makes life feel more precious. It sharpens your focus on what truly matters, how you spend your time, and who you spend it with.

When I first started writing this blog, my idea was to practice so that someday, maybe in my 40s or 50s, I’d have enough life experience to write a book. But lately, I’ve realized how naïve that idea was—what if I don’t even make it till then? Why wait? That’s why I’m writing now—pouring out my thoughts, opinions, and my story while I can.

Steve Jobs’ advice to “live each day as if it’s your last” resonates with me more now than ever. We never know what’s going to happen, and if we don’t stay aware of that, life will pass us by. Sometimes I jokingly ask my friends if they think the Earth is spinning faster because time seems to fly by. Days, weeks, and years blur together before we even realize it. Mornings turn into evenings in a blink. And with time moving this fast, how can we afford to waste it? Yet, most of us do. We procrastinate. We assume we’ll have time later to do the things we care about. But the truth is, our clock is ticking, and none of us know how much is left.

Of course, thinking about death too much can overwhelm you. It can make you feel anxious, like you’re racing against time, burning yourself out, and ironically, shortening your own life. My intention here isn’t to stress you out—it’s to remind you of the value of your time, energy, and health. I want to give you a reality check, one that propels you toward your dreams and turns them into achievable goals. I once read that dream with a plan of action is goal. My hope is that you start turning your dreams into goals and make the most of your time on this earth.

To live fully, you have to step outside your comfort zone. Nothing meaningful happens if you just sit at home binge-watching Netflix. The idea isn’t about productivity for the sake of it—it’s about living in the present and being intentional with your time. The present is all we have. The past is in your heart, and the future is in your head. Do what truly matters to you, and master the art of saying “no” to what doesn’t. Just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t mean you need to do it. Before committing to anything, ask yourself if it deserves your time and energy. If the answer is no, then don’t do it.

That being said, I know it’s not always easy. Many of us feel trapped by obligations. Maybe you want to pursue something creative, but you’re stuck in a job that pays the bills. You feel like you can’t say “no” to it because your life depends on it. But if you value your time, then you owe it to yourself to pursue what really lights you up, instead of wasting your precious hours on things that don’t matter. Believe me, you have the power to change your circumstances—it’s just about where you decide to focus your energy.

When I asked myself what I want to accomplish before my time is up, the answers came quickly. I wrote them down and started working towards them. Once I achieve one, I’ll create new goals and keep moving forward. That’s how i want to create a meaningful, enriching life. So, what do you want to do before your time is up? Don’t delay it, because you may not get another chance. I think about my grandmother, bedridden, her body paralyzed but her mind still sharp. She could still think and remember, but she couldn’t act on any of it. If at all that day ever happens to me, I don’t wanna lay in that bed regretting what I could have done while I was young and healthy.