'Life's short, eat dessert first!' was a favorite saying of my mother.

Thankfully, it has not.  *Knock on wood*  The fragility of life has though.  The realization of the brevity of it has too.  Maybe more so for me, because for the last 11 years with the rescue team, I was involved with situations where other's lives were cut short via stupidity or intention.

Our family is enjoying many more vacations now.  One of the reasons for me getting my Broker's license was succession planning.  I have spent the last 10 years building something to leave behind and I'm trying to find a way to have someone to leave it to.

This may be the alcohol speaking, but I don't really understand the question.

It enters my mind on occassion and at certain times for different reasons but it isn't a place where I dwell for too long.  

It is the singular reason I ignore so much of what I ignore in this world. LOL

Never miss an oppotunity to let those precious to you know that they are precious to you.  That you appreciate them and what they bring to your life.  You never want to feel you didn't have the chance to express that when they are suddenly gone.  You have plenty of opportunities to let people know how you feel.  

Yes Richie, making the most of the days given is a must and learning to avoid carrying other people's burdens continues to be a challenge.

I like the answer provided by Mary Yonkers. 

And that's exactly why telling those you love and/or care about, that you DO - as often as you can. Life is short.

Just this morning, I was told that a friend's mother was diagnosed with cancer 8 days ago. She died today. 8 days - I can't possibly have meaningful conversations with everyone I love in 8 days and say all that I have to say. So, saying it now is SO important.

Life is short, aka Brevity of Life. I focus on love, kindness and helping others. I have no regrets if I were to depart tomorrow.  Yet I am hopeful I have many more days here to explore and find creative ways to make a difference and help others. 

no, and it can stay that way..... 

It is 2020, where has the time gone?

To often life is measured by accomplishment, by meeting the goals created last year. Executing the PLAN.

The brevity of life to me is allowing yourself to take the side road when the opportunity is presented.  Placing one's boot onto the carpet of moss covering the boulders strewn across the mountain. To be embraced in the in the arms of a magnificent nature that we must learn to appreciate, celebrate and protect.

The brevity of life to me is knowing that I am one in the world, but, if my heart is soft, I can be the world to someone.

The brevity of life to me means don't allow the final years to be upon the bed of regret so choose to forgive, abandon anger,  take risks, laugh at yourself, be present for others.

It is my desire that every reader on Active Rain can fill in the blank:
"Thank you  _________,  I trust I was a good student."

Many have transitioned to whom I can credit with imparting principles that will change lives.

I'm old enough where I don't consider my life to be all that brief. And I've never had any great desire to live to some crazy old age. On the whole, my philosphy has been exactly as Mary Yonkers said "life is short, eat dessert first." I'm all about dessert. And I don't live my life worrying how many days I have left... I know someone who does this and it just depresses him. The days we have to live are predetermined the day we are born... it's our personal fate. Can't worry about, can't change it... just live as well as you can eat dessert first.

Richie,

every moment well lived, and I don't worry about it at all.  A

No, I have too many other think to worry about. 

Seems like far too many friends are leaving early these days.

I'm in no hurry to leave earth Richie Alan Naggar but I am looking forward to that big family reunion in the sky.

Richie,  If not now, when?  

Since I don't control when my ticket is up, one day at a time with no end in sight.

I am throwing out a lot of stuff that just doesn't matter anymore.

Love is the brevity of life.

I keep telling Sandy that, but she keeps changing the combination on my shackles. Please send fresh hacksaw blades so I can escape!!!!

Cancer treatment in 2008 did it for me. It's all a bonus.

Yes, it really hit me in June 2018 that I am, in fact, middle-aged. Furthermore my husband and I have had two couple (husband/wife) acquaintences die by murder/suicide in the last three years. In both circumstances, we were stunned. I am grateful for every day of my life, and I strive to live an authentic and purposeful life. I have realized that only I can define what "success" and "happy" mean to me. These are not things that require the world's opinion. The world will suck you dry if you allow it to do so.

Live life to the fullest each and every day! 

I'm just a kid of 69 so it may be a few years away.

Yes, life if fragile. A good friend and neighbor recently succumbed to leukemia after battling it for several years. Another friend's father passed from Cancer. Another neighbor has been diagnosed with Cancer and is undergoing treatment.

Then...there is my 93 year young mother-in-law who is doing well.

I will spend very little time pondering the brevity of life as I spend a week in Kauai soon.

We never know our expiration date. So... Appreciate each day and what it gives. Enjoy your friends and family and let them know you love them. Find reasons to smile and make others smile. Do something you've always wanted to do (legal of course). Laugh and laugh some more. Have a great day!