Daily writing
THE ODDS OF YOUR LIFE
One day, maybe without warning, you'll open your eyes for the last time.
You'll take your last breath.
There will be a last time you laugh until you can't breathe.
A last orgasm.
A last meal so good you close your eyes when you taste it.
A last time you sink into a couch and let your whole body go.
A last bird song.
A last kiss.
A last sunrise.
A last ordinary afternoon when the light falls across the room and everything seems good.
There will have been grief, too.
Anger.
Fear.
Days you could barely stand to be alive.
And somehow, you held it all.
Think of what you're capable of!
You can feel pleasure so fierce it seems to stop time.
You can love someone knowing you will eventually lose them.
You can suffer terribly and still find yourself laughing by morning.
You can grow stronger.
Kinder.
Braver.
You can learn to love your life, even now.
You can become someone new.
And you can start with what's already good.
The people you love. The strength you've earned. The feel of your skin.
One day, you'll die. That's certain.
But today, you're breathing. Your heart is beating. There's food to taste, hot showers, children's voices to hear, and a world outside your door.
These are the odds of your life.
You're going to die.
But you're not dead yet.
So for God's sake, live.