I was on Quora the other day and a question popped up on my feed.
As a dying person, what is your advice to the living?
To be short, I have a neuromuscular disease that's affecting my body in ways that the specialists thought weren't possible. I'm dying, and my immediate family isn't taking the prognosis very well. I would say my community, but I don't see the point of causing a stir if I have 15+ years, ya know?
My name is Cora. I am 18 years old. I just recently graduated from an American high school, and I start college in the fall. My hobbies include: reading, making my boyfriend stop in the middle of the road to save turtles, and making people happy.
I have had a half year to really soak in what's happening. After some reflection, I realized there's a strategy to this whole "living" thing.
Find a something to believe in. It doesn't matter if it's religion or peace. I found God. I found hope, and love, and as ironic as it sounds, I found life. The thing about finding that something, is that it isn't just for you... it's for the defeat of nilhism.
Happiness. It's the little things. For me, that is my family time, reading, discovering music, that smooth and burning white sand in my toes, kayaking, dancing in my room with my little sister, and even listening to my dad talk about whatever oddball idea he has about politics. Happiness is embracing the people and situations around you, so you have a light. It's empathy. It's love, or a good melody. Happiness is being grateful for blessings and life- no matter the duration.
Combat those fears and minor irritants. As irrational as it is, I hate feet. I know, I know. They're more clean than hands etc... with some self inflicted immersion therapy, I can proudly say that I can tolerate feet. Not to the point where I can touch them with my hands, but it's a start. This is a very small victory on the grand scheme of things. Next thing to conquer could be to eliminate the fear of arachnids and other creepy crawlers, but who am I kidding, old habits die hard :)
Do what you love. I have a knack for the English and language of numbers. Some could say a savant of sorts. My parents want me to write hockey articles for the remainder of my well lived life. Meanwhile, the comfort of a cubicle and mathematics is calling my way. I want to be an actuary. The solid six figures a year is also quite tempting.... In a few weeks, I have to have a temporary declaration of major. So here I am going to school for Actaury Sciences. I suppose what I am trying to get across is, if you love something, go for it.
Do what makes you happy. This kind of goes with my last point, but I need to clarify a few things.
If it is the person you like, go for it.
Get that degree of your choice.
Eat that slice of cake.
Love unconditionally.
Play that music as loud as you can.
Most importantly, be you.
Love yourself. If you can't, or won't, then who will? I can assure you, that you are by far the coolest person you know. Just embrace it. Whatever is causing you to read this thread, is not worth more than yourself. Death isn't scary if you know that you went out and made yourself who you are, prior to leaving this earth.
Get yourself out of that darkness. If you're here reading this, you've seen it. That's what we all have in common. Death has an obvious connotation, and the longer you wade in the fear, the deeper you get.
Word of advice, if you're ever down, look up baby harp seals.
To any of the young out here, please don't give up before your story begins. Every single day is a new beginning. Live it.
Edit: I don't know when I will tell my friends and other family, but I will let life lead me until I figure it out.
