We live in a culture that does everything it can to avoid talking about the final stages of life. There seems to be a small part of each and every one of us that feels like we can live forever. But deep down inside, we all know that isn’t how it works, unfortunately.

Hospice is a wake-up call for many people - patients, their families, friends, and even neighbors and acquaintances. Rather than passing suddenly, hospice patients are expected by medical professionals to have a little bit more time. 

While most hospice patients are suffering from some sort of illness or disease that put them in hospice to start with, they do have the gift of the perspective shift that being a hospice patient almost forces you to have. You have the opportunity to answer the question that  poet Mary Oliver so beautifully asked, “what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Embracing the Present

When you receive the kind of diagnosis that puts you in hospice, it may feel like the world is spinning a million miles an hour. But if you get stuck in the cycle of worry, fear, and disruption, you will miss precious moments and hours that you could spend fully engaged doing the things you enjoy with the people you love. Worrying about what will happen in the future only robs you of the joy of the present. 

Ask yourself, “Am I being fully present right now? What do I actually WANT to be focusing on? What would make right now just a little bit better?”

Live to the Fullest

Everyone has limited time on this planet- we just don’t spend enough time truly understanding what that means. As you approach the end, it is important to ask yourself “What is truly important to me?” Are you spending your time doing the things that fulfill you, or are you stuck in people-pleasing (or worse, people-impressing) mode? What are some important things that you might like to do during your remaining time? If you need a little inspiration, there are a ton of stories on the internet of hospice patients checking items off their bucket lists. 

Here is a beautiful story about an artist who finally got the chance to show off her artwork:

And another story about a man who finally got to marry his true love:

Ask yourself, “What would make today lovely? What would I enjoy doing right now? Who is it important for me to connect with?”

Final Thoughts

If you are a patient who is in hospice, don’t give up on your dreams. While you may have to modify your plans or the scope of your bucket list a little, there are still ways to enjoy your favorite activities or finally accomplish a dream or goal that you have held for a long time.

And if you aren’t in hospice, take this opportunity to truly think about what you value in life. Are you actively working towards your dreams and goals? What could you do today that would move your life a little bit more in alignment with what you truly want?