Friday, May 11, 2007
Life's Short...

One of the columnists in the Tribune today had a piece inspired by that disturbing billboard above, reminding us that life is short so we ought to make the most if it. Here is her list of how not to waste the short amount of days we are given:

We all need daily reminders of how easy it is to fritter away our fleeting tour of the planet, so here are a few more billboards I'd like to see around town:

Life's short.
Make that call.

Life's short.
Write that letter.

Life's short.
You'll live longer if you fix that thing that's driving you nuts.

Life's short.
Too short for bad wine, bad coffee and uncomfortable underwear. But there's always room for "American Idol."

Life's short.
Embarrassing e-mails live forever.
Are you sure you should hit "Send?"

Life's short.
Don't waste another day with a hangover.

Life's short.
Spend less time looking in the mirror and more time looking at the sky.

Life's short.
When was the last time you watched the stars?

Life's short.
Get TiVo.

Life's short.
Too short to figure out TiVo. Just get rid of the TV. But not until "American Idol" is over.

Life's short.
No point sniffling for Melinda and Blake when Jordin wins. You'll soon forget them all.

Life's short.
Don't waste it arguing about "American Idol."

Life is too short to finish boring books.

Life's short.
Get over it.
Get over the grudge.
Get over the sorrow.
Get over the fear.
Get over your parents.
Get over the memory.
Get over the disbelief that on the cosmic clock your life lasts barely longer than a cough.

Life's short.
Shorter now than when you started reading this.

Life's short.
Be ready to die.

Life's short.
Stop making excuses.

Life is short but there's still time for breakfast.

Life's short.
So am I.
What's wrong with short?

Life's short.
But never too short to help a friend.

Life's short.
Good weather is shorter.
Go outside.

Life's short.
But there's no need to rush.

Life's short.
Lengthen. Your. Breath.
(Billboard footnote: According to some ancient yogis, we're each granted a limited number of breaths in life. The more slowly you breathe, the longer you'll live.)

Life's short.
Do you really want to watch that rerun of a rerun of that sitcom rerun?

Life's short.
Show your neck and knees while you're young.

Life's short.
How much of yours will you waste at a computer?

Life's short.
Yours is longer than some.

How short is life? It's long enough to read "Our Ancestors' Short Lives" by the great Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska, which ends with this line:

"Life, however long, will always be short. Too short for anything to be added."

What would you add?
 
posted by Mike Clawson at 4:51 PM | Permalink |


6 Comments:


At 5/12/2007 02:53:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous

Life's short, but not this post.

 

At 5/12/2007 07:53:00 AM, Blogger mentorman

Mike...

Exceptional blog...as well as excellent posts...thank you. Found you via Joshua Case.

...Wes

 

At 5/12/2007 09:27:00 AM, Blogger Mike Clawson

LOL Nony Mouse! :)

Wes - Thanks for dropping by.

 

At 5/12/2007 03:56:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous

Well, if you're in a crappy or abusive marriage, I would say that billboard is giving excellent advice.

 

At 5/12/2007 04:52:00 PM, Blogger Mike Clawson

Sure... though based on the pictures the message seems more like "Life is short so dump your spouse so you can have sex with someone more attractive."

 

At 5/18/2007 03:58:00 AM, Blogger Richard Wade

Two offerings,
Life is short. Don't miss a single opportunity to say "I love you."

and

Life is short. So don't worry, you'll make it all the way through.