THE GREATEST GIFT IN THE WORLD
OG MANDINO
I will live this day as if it is my last.
And what shall I do with last precious day which remains in
my keeping? First, I will seal up its container of life so
that not one drop spills itself upon the sand. I will waste
not a moment mourning yesterday's misfortunes, yesterday's
defeats, yesterday's aches of heart, for why should I throw
good after bad? Can sand flow upwards in the hour glass?
Will the sun rise where it sets and sets where it rises?
Can I relieve the errors of yesterday and right them? Can I
call back yesterday's wounds and make them whole? Can I
become younger than yesterday? Can I take back the evil
that was spoken?, the blows that were struck, the pain that
was caused? No. Yesterday is buried forever and I will
think of it no more.
I will live this day as if it is my last.
And what then shall I do? Forgetting yesterday neither will
I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw now after maybe ?
Can tomorrow's sand flow through the glass before today's?
Will the sun rise twice in the morning? Can I perform
tomorrow's deeds while standing in today's path? Can I
place tomorrow's gold in today's purse? Can tomorrow's
child be born today? Can tomorrow's death cast its shadow
backwards and darken today's joy? Should I concern myself
over events I may never witness? Should I torment myself
with problems that may never come to pass? No! Tomorrow
lies buried with yesterday, and I will think of it no more.
I will live this day as if it were my last.
This day is all I have and these hours now my eternity. I
greet the sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is
reprieved from death. I lift mine arms with thanks for this
priceless gift of a new day. So too, I will beat upon my
heart with gratitude as I consider all who greeted
yesterday's sunrise who are no longer with the living
today. I am indeed a fortunate man and today's hours are
but a bonus, undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live
this extra day when others, far better than I, have
departed? Is it that they have accomplished their purpose
while mine is yet to be achieved? Is this another
opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be? Is
there a purpose in nature? Is this my day to excel?
I will live this day as if it were my last.
I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of
time. When I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste
today I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore, each
hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It
cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow, for
who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I grasp
with both hands and fondle with love for it's value is
beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath
though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I
place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless.
I will live this day as if it is my last.
I will avoid with fury the killers of time. Procrastination
I will destroy with action; doubt I will bury under faith;
fear I will dismember with confidence. Where there are idle
mouths, I will listen not; where there are idle hands I
will linger not; where there are idle bodies I will visit
not. Henceforth I know to court idleness is to steal food,
clothing and warmth from those I love. I am not a thief. I
am a man of love and today is my last chance to prove my
love and greatness.
I will live this day as if it were my last.
The duties of today I shall fulfill today. Today, I shall
fondle my children while they are young; tomorrow they will
be gone, and so will I. Today I shall embrace my woman with
sweet kisses; tomorrow she will be gone, and so will I.
Today, I shall lift up a friend in need; tomorrow he will
no longer cry for help, nor will I hear his cries. Today, I
shall give myself in sacrifice and work; tomorrow I will
have nothing to give, and there will be none to receive.
I will live this day as if it is my last.
And if it is my last, it will be my greatest monument. This
day I will make the best day of my life. This day I will
drink every minute to its full. I will savour it's taste
and give thanks. I will make every hour count and each
minute I will trade only for something of value. I will
labour harder than ever before and push my muscles until
they cry for relief, and then I will continue. I will make
more calls than ever before. I will sell more goods than
ever before. I will earn more gold than ever before. Each
minute of today will be more fruitful than hours of
yesterday. My last must be my best.
I will live this day as if it is my last.
And if it is not, I shall fall
to my knees and give thanks.