What if…you had one month to live?
I’m reading the New York Times bestseller One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook and I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately.
If I had one month to live, what would I spend more time on? Or less?
How would my perspective change?
The book has inspired me to look at life in a whole new way, and to really try to make each day count. It’s helped me to focus on what truly matters.
In fact, seeing everything through “One Month” lenses has impacted me so much that I wanted to share it.
I’ve heard it said that if you do something for thirty days, it can become a habit. So for the next month, I’ll be hosting what I’m calling “My One Month”—focusing on living life in a way that if I did find out I had a month to live, I’d have no regrets.
I’ll be blogging about my journey and would love for you to join me.
Just ask yourself the question–what if I had only one month to live? Then write about it. Your post can be as simple as a list of things you’d like to do, or it can be about something that happens as a result of looking at life from a “One Month” viewpoint.
If you don’t have a blog, you can still participate. Simply stop by throughout the month and comment to share your ideas and stories.
I contacted the authors of One Month to Live, and they offered to send me a couple of autographed copies of their book to give away. So to kick this off, leave a comment on this post for a chance to win. (I’ll be randomly selecting the two winners from the comments and will announce them on Friday, October 3rd.)
The authors will also be considering a couple of your posts and/or comments for publication on their website. (Read the details below to see how this will work.)
Like the book says, living a no-regrets life isn’t about focusing on the fact that we’re all going to die someday.
It’s about choosing to live in a way that makes each moment matter.
And that’s something worth doing.
Don’t you think?
Here are more details about how to join me in “My One Month”:
Grab this button:
<a href=”https://www.mycup2yours.com” target=”blank”><img src=”https://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/ghikes/blog/myonemonth150button.jpg” height=”150px” width=”150px” alt=”My One Month hosted by My Cup 2 Yours” /></a>
Write your own “My One Month” post any time from September 29th – October 27th. (Again, if you don’t have a blog, comment to share your story.)
Link up. After you’ve written your post and linked here, come sign the Mr. Linky box below. (When this post is no longer at the top of my blog, I’ll have a link that will get you back here and to Mr. Linky. So whether you want to write something now or later in the month, you can come back at any time and add your name/URL.)
As I blog about “My One Month” and read your posts and comments, I’ll be linking to some of my favorites so that others can read them as well.
After October 27th, I’ll be selecting one or two posts/comments to put up on my blog for a few days, as well as forwarding them on to the authors of One Month to Live for their consideration. (Note: This isn’t a writing contest; it’s just a matter of sharing your heart and your experiences.)
Spread the word and tell your friends about this. The more people we have joining in, the more I think we’ll all be inspired and encouraged by each other’s stories.
And I hope, by focusing for a month on making the most of the lives we’ve been given, that the impact will last forever.
Hi Genny,I think this book may be a eye opener to many-Personally I have had my fiance' die right before we got married, and so many friends & family pass away in my life that death has become a very REAL part of my life. I have had health issues and I'm allergic to bee's. I have been stung 3 times-We almost lost me those 3 times from the bee stings. Once I was way up in the mountains and had to give myself two shots with epi pens. A helicopter came to save me. I remember (once I was able to speak & came to) asking the paramedic if he thought I was crazy to be up in the mountains being allergic to bees and all and he said,"No, I really respect you for living life to it's fullest, so many people live in fear and don't." Would I change anything if I knew I only had a month to live? No, because I live my life knowing time is short here on earth-The only thing I think I would do if I KNEW for sure I only had a month to live is use that as a witnessing tool to bring more people to the Lord. The Lord has show me much grace and given me the gift of contentment-It doesn't get any better then that. I just make sure the people I love know that I love them and pray for them-And that I may not always be there for them but God is. Robin~♥
An amazing concept to be sure. Interestingly enough, as you may have read recently, I have 25 days left until my ’50th’. I have been looking at life differently and am doing the same type of thing.I will certainly join in though not daily.
I really love this concept. I haven’t read the book yet – it sounds wonderful!I’m going to have to give this some thought because I’d love to join you in doing this!
I like this concept and I would enjoy reading the book. Oh, how I love to read! and write :)Unfortunately, hardly anyone lives their life to the fullest. Most people are burdened down by unnecessary worries. Recently, someone in my life was worrying copiously about something that was going to take place regardless. And I found myself losing my patience, which I regret. It just seemed so silly, to worry about something that you have to do anyways, so you might as well go at it with a positive attitude.I am going to apply this to my life and see what happens. I already do to some degree but not enough!
I already know my answer. It actually has something to do with things the Lord has been showing me over the last several months. I will try to write it up in a post and participate in the next week or so. Thanks for this great idea!
I will do this…what a great idea…I love it!Happy Monday!-Sandy Toes
umm, my birthday is october 27th does this have any hidden meaning? hee hee. love this idea and i would enjoy being a part of it. great idea genny!
Genny,This is WONDERFUL. I’m definitely going to participate.
This is one of those questions I usually avoid cause it makes me think! I might blog on this to elaborate further…but I think the wonderful thing about having a relationship with Jesus is that one month seems like a TON of time to spend with family, loving on friends, enjoying little moments. For me, there wouldn’t be a whole lot of-“Oh, I have to go do this! Or that! Or see so and so!”I know the greatest reward is at the end of that one month. And I could enjoy each moment in between.Many blessings-Amanda
Genny – Great challenge. I’ll do some thinking and try to post a couple times throughout the month. Thanks!
I’ll definitely be thinking about this.
This sounds wonderful Genny, I’m really going to try to participate!!! I’ll come back and link up as soon as I have a chance to write about it. Thanks so much for offering such a wonderful opportunity to look at life and priorities with a very different perspective.
I have been having some trouble blogging today bc I felt like I was forcing topics on myself. Then when I read your post I realized why bc I need to think about the changes I need to make in my life. I am glad I stopped by before posting a half hearted blog. I think this might be my main topic for the month. Thanks !!
Very interesting! I will have to give this some thought, and will post something soon.
It is such a good message to live in a present focused way.Sounds like an interesting book… I’ll have to think about this and hopefully join in with a post!!
I am so excited about your post today! We are currently doing a series at my church centered around this theme and book! It’s our “One Month to Live” series and it has been life changing! I blogged about this same topic today! We had a wonderful sermon yesterday as part 4 of the 6 week series that touched on brokenness. It’s a hard thing to think about…but so important! Thanks for your insights!
Sounds amazing! I am excited. I can feel God working through me right now as we are right in the middle of the aftermath from Hurricane Ike. I am really trying to keep my focus on Him and the big picture. I will give it some serious thought and will link up when I have something. Thanks for hosting this. I can’t wait to see what everyone else has to say.
I would LOVE to win this book. What an important perspective. Like a bucket list. I’ll get thinking!
this is great, I am going to participate thanks for sharing
No, thank you for inspiring me!! I really had a feeling today was going to be the start of something amazing.. I just never thought I would find it in a blog.. so thank you!!
Genny, just earlier today I declined a job offer because of that very thought. Right now my family is my priority. My son will head off to University in two short years and I didn’t want to have any regrets of not being here for him during these last couple of years.Have you heard the song, “Live like you were dying” by Tim McGraw? The chorus keeps repeating that “I hope one day you get the chance to live like you are dying.” I purchased the single CD after hearing it for the first time.Looking forward to what God will teach me as I take up this challenge.Seeking Him,Joy
Lovely idea! This will give me something to think about for a while. I will eventually post about it! Thanks for doing this!
I stumbled across your site and just loved it. I am bookmarking it and will definietely be checking in. As much as I would love to participate, I have such a BIG plate in October due to it being Down Syndrome Awareness month and I am up to my eyeballs in fundraising for the Buddy Walk coming up. I did want to drop a quick line and say that I am not sure that I would really change much about how I live my life. My life shook up a bit last year during my pregnancy with my daughter when we found out that she would have Down Syndrome. We got over our shock fairly quickly and learned to savor life all that much more. Our daughter just turned one in July and we relish in each milestone she takes as well as her older brothers. Thanks for the challenge, I will have to take it up after October. =0)
This is a really nice idea. I can’t wait to read your journey for the next month…perhaps it will inspire me to live my life to the fullest, too. I’d love to win a copy of the book. It sounds like it would be profoundly eye-opening.
This book sounds really good and I love to hear about must reads!this will definitely require some thought but I would love to join in! I’ll let you know when I post.
Awesome idea, beautiful post. I’m going to start working on my post to link up this month. God is really working in me and my perspective and life has changed a lot in the last month, so I look forward to the next!
You know, I saw this on Sandy Toes’ website too, and as soon as I read her post (which I loved) I got stressed out thinking about my own post. I guess I have a pretty high-stress personality, and just allowing myself to think about this scenario got my stomach in knots! I do appreciate the sentiment though, and how it would make you aware of the preciousness of life and what is really important to you. I am eager to hear others’ posts! Carrie
Wonderful concept and challenge…I am going to participate for sure…to be honest, it is something, I just really don’t want to think about…but something I should…Thanks my friend for this gentle push
What a wonderful outlook. Thank you for posting. I was not aware of this book, but it sounds like a mush read. 1 month to live really puts things into perspective.
Sounds like we are thinking alike. I’m ALL about living a life that matters most. And I’m reading a book called Life as a Gift. Basically the authors interviewed over 100 people in hospice to find out the perspective from the dying. It’s good. And reminds me to live with purpose for God, loving Him and others. It’s all about relationships. Thank you for the encouragement on my blog and for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you already. And who knows, I may be joining in sometime over the next 30 days. This is right up my alley(sorry for the cliche.) Enjoy living a life with no regrets!God bless,Tiffany
Wow. That’ll get me to thinkin’. Even if I don’t win I may have to go and find that book. I’m not much of a reader, but something that is thought provoking like that… I can probably get with.
Wow…what a topic to chew on. I will definitely be thinking about this one. I think it is great that you are hosting this on your blog.
Great idea! I love this, I’ll be putting some thought into it. Sounds like an awesome book!
This is a great idea Genny. I want to participate.
I really like Robin’s (first post) perspective on this. I’d definitely be doing more living and less . . . chores :-)Sounds like this book is making a lot of people really think about what their life means.Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea. One of my mottos at the moment is “No Regrets,” and I think this fits in well. I’ll be back with a post sometime this month.
Hi Genny, I’m in! God is moving many of His people in changing their day to day lives to live more purposely for Him, how awesome for you to be joining Him in hosting this!I look forward with great anticipation to see how He will use this.Love Donna
I began to think a lot about life issues like this when I lost my folks within three years of one another. I’ll check out this book. Seems like a thoughtful look at life.
Found you through Ronel. I'm in!!!It is so exciting to see our Father use blogs to reach women. Thank you for your post & I can't wait to see how women's lives our changed : )
Thanks Genny for the chance at one of these books! I would love to read it and will be following along with you and everyone! You may inspire me to join in!
Genny,This sounds like a great book! I will make sure to post about it on my blog in the next couple of days. I have been so busy lately, I think I would do better at sharing what I WOULDN’T do if I had a month to live. YYEEEESH!
We have just started reading through this with my group of girlfriends for a book club every week….interesting discussions. Hopefully, I ‘ll have time to participate and share more on my blog.
OK girl…Mine is finally up!!
Hmmm, I will have to think about this one. :) It is a really great idea Genny and I look forward to reading others posts on this. I’ll see if the wrods come for me… :)
Thanks for giving everyone something to think about. This subject fit right in with my week’s topic talking about when my nephew was given 5 years to live. It is life changing.But praise God – my nephew is living on 8 years later, and we hope for much longer than that!
Wow! What a great question! I will be thinking over the next few days, but I’ll be back to post my link.Today, my 39th birthday, is the beginning of my decision to LIVE!
Ok, I did it for real now. :) You were sweet for mentioning my journey post. This was a very thought provoking subject and I am so glad you issued the challenge!
Hi Genny!I have been thinking about this for the past few weeks. I will have a post up on Monday 10-13-08 about my one month. This has been an eye opener for me. Things I would normally rush through I now pause and think would I let this moment pass by.
Interesting idea. I’d like to read the book. Thanks.
I’ve enjoyed all the reading. It was tough for me to write a post, maybe because I’m at a different time in my life than a lot of your readers, but I did it!
oh, wow. GREAT post! i am so inspired… thank you, thank you!!!!!!
Genny,Thank you so much for the post. You are an inspiration to many. I have written my own and plan on sharing yours with others.Thank you again, Angelina
Hi, Genny, This is a topic that everyone is thinking about – thinking because they want to be able to offer that thought-provoking, insightful comment that is life-changing if it were a factual happening. For me, if I had only one more month to live, I would take solace in my family because it seems I have worked so much and continue to work such long days that it is them who have been neglected of my time. While I love them with every breath I take, it is because of them that i work so hard. But, it is not money that should be the deciding factor, “for love or money”, it should only be about love. Thanks for this opportunity.
Genny, I just had to come back to this again. Do you know that I was offered ANOTHER part-time job, and again, my decision to decline made me think of this post. If I only had one month left it live, I would not be working and missing time with my family.Also, another song. Have you heard 33 Miles, “One Life to Love”? You can click here for the lyrics: https://www.klove.com/lyrics/lyrics.asp?2844Have a great weekend,Joy
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