Before I left the UK, a good friend of mine gave me the modern-day version of a mix tape. She bought me an iTunes voucher and created a playlist of music for me to buy with it. I’ve played it to death since I embarked on my travels, however, sat by the pool yesterday one song came on my iPod that I have obviously heard many times before but had never truly listened to.
It had a huge impact on me. So much so, that I wanted to share it with you.
Before you read and contemplate the lyrics below, listen to it here.
Ten Things – Paul Baribeau
Name ten things you wanna do before you die and then go do them.
Name ten places you really wanna be before you die and then go to them.
Name ten books you wanna read before you die and then go read them.
Name ten songs you wanna hear again before you die, get all of your friends together and scream them.
Because right now all you have is time time time yeah,
but someday that time will run out.
That’s the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.
Think of all the things that are wrong with your life and then fix them.
Think of all the things that you love about your life, be thankful you are blessed with them.
Think of all the things that hold you back and realize that you don’t need them.
Think of all the mistakes you have made in your life, make sure that you never repeat them.
Because right now all you have is time time time yeah,
but someday that time will run out.
That’s the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.
Name ten thousand reasons why you never wanna die, go and tell someone who might’ve forgotten.
Try to list the endless reasons why it’s good to be alive, and then just smile for a while about them.
Soon the sun will rise and another day will come.
Soon enough the sun will set, another day will be gone
and right now all you have is time time time yeah,
but someday that time will run out.
That’s the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.
This song screamed out a call to action to me and I felt compelled to write these things down. It doesn’t take much to inspire me to make a list so it’s no surprise really, but I am firm believer in the power of writing down your dreams, goals and aspirations. For me there is something about seeing what you want to happen in life written down in black and white that not only make it feel more urgent but more real and for me more achievable.
I originally intended to share my lists of ten things with you but then I realized that I wanted you to hear this song like I did, with nothing but my own personal reaction to the power of its lyrics.
The only thing I am absolutely certain about is that life is both short and precious. I don’t want to die wondering what if. Do you? No I didn’t think so.
What one or ten things would you do right now if you knew that your time was nearly up? Please feel free to share in the comments below. I’d love to hear if this song had an impact on you too. If you liked this post, please help me out by sharing it using one of the buttons below.
Hi there, I'm Caroline. Welcome to Life is Limitless, my blog about personal development with a focus on facing fears and living a life without limits. Check out my about page to find out more and pop your email in the box below to subscribe for regular updates.
This is the first time I have heard this so you are getting an undiluted response: Yes! What simple lyrics, but giving us a really clear message! I am going to download the song and print out the lyrics and make some lists.Thanks for sharing, Caroline. x
Hey Zee, I’m so pleased you liked it. You do incredible things all the time so I would love to hear about what goes on your lists!
xx
It feels so good when there are not so many things I would change if my time here where nearly over…
Of course there are many things left to do but when you are already on the journey of achieving dreams and live life your way, it seems is only a matter of time, even though this time will run out.
However this song / post is a nice reminder of we must keep moving towards our dreams, slowly, slowly…
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Hey Maria, I love that there are not many things you would change, I feel exactly the same. I also think that as long as we are on that journey, moving towards our dreams then we should never feel cause for regret. Thanks so much for sharing!
Yes! What simple lyrics, but giving us a really clear message! I am going to download the song and print out the lyrics and make some lists.
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Thanks Ella! So glad you enjoyed, happy list-making
Hi Caroline,
It is always such a difficult question when someone asks: if you were near your death what would you do? Because I think this often gets used as a guide to determine what we should do with our lives but I disagree with this.
For example, I am working hard to slowly build my business and eventually have it be completely self sustaining and location independent. This is going to take quite a bit of time. Likely a few years. But if I knew I was going to kick the bucket soon, it wouldn’t make sense for me to continue working on this. Yet, on a day to day basis, this is extremely exciting for me. I love working on it.
I fear reaching my death bed with the question “what if…” hanging over me.
I, like you, am a huge advocate of writing down goals. Writing down goals has been extremely empowering for me, because it has enabled me to discover what I really do want to achieve with my life.
In regards to the song, I must say, the beat made me actually turn it off after a few lines but I really liked the message
Izzy recently posted..I’m in the Prime of my Life!
Hi Izzy for me you hit the nail on the head when you say that building your business is extremely exciting for you and you love working on it! So many people delay joy in the present for potential joy in the future but it doesn’t need to be that way. I believe that life’s too short not to enjoy ourselves right now. Congratulations on finding something that you love to do and good luck on building your business, if it’s built with such passion then I’m sure it will be awesome! I also fear the “what if…” scenario and that’s why the song spoke to me so directly. Thanks so much for sharing
Dear Caroline,
I found your blog while looking for things to go in my 40 great things for my fortieth year plan. I love this song it’s a brilliant way to look at life. I was wondering have you read ‘Veronika decides to Die’ by Paulo Coehlo. It’s amazing and looks at one of the themes in the song..time…. And how your perspective on living changes when time is no longer an unknown quantity.
x
Happy reading
Liesel
Hi Leisel, thanks so much for your comment. I love the idea of a “40 great things to do for your fortieth year plan” sounds like my kind of plan
I have read Veronika decides to die. It’s a truly amazing book, thanks so much for sharing and hope you have a truly fantastic 40th year! 