Sheg Aranmolate

Sheg is the author of iACTUATE: 100 Days of Inspiration, and was one of the finalists in Oprah's Big Give.

If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...

The young man woke up in the morning with his ideas lurking in his head. Cuddled up in his bed, he thought about his family and all the great plans he wanted to execute. As he was reflecting in his dank, inhospitable cell room, one of his masked captors walked into the room with a pencil and blank piece of paper in his hand. He handed the writing utensils to the young man and told him to write his last rites, as it was time for him to meet his creator. As soon as the young man heard those words, his mouth became dry and there was a burning sensation in the back of his throat. His hands trembled as he held the crumpled paper in his left and the crooked pencil in his right. Sweat trickling down his forehead, he began to write his final legacy - five things I will do differently.

1. Wake: I will wake up every morning and smile at the world. I will be glad for the chance to see yet another day, and most especially I will be grateful for the "gift of life."

2. Eat: I will cherish every meal I receive. I will eat healthy delicious meals and I will take my time to savor the complex flavors of each meal. My body is divine and it surely deserves the finest of foods.

3. Love: I will develop my innate ability to Love myself and to Love others selflessly, as Love is the universal language that all humans understand.

4. Work: I will establish my identity at work and I will let my purpose of "positively improving humanity" fuel my creativity and talents. I will view success not through the eyes of an epicure, but through the eyes of a famished individual who has been fed and empowered with the wisdom of life.

5. Sleep: At the end of each day, I will lie in my bed and I will sleep like a baby because if life is worth living then it must be worth dreaming as well. Furthermore, I cannot dream without sleep!

Upon writing these words, the young man carefully folded the piece of paper and handed it to his captor. He smiled and felt calm. He was at peace with himself because he realized that he had lived a great life and completed his legacy. It was now time to celebrate his life.