I am 16 years old and on this day 9 years ago I was diagnosed with lung disease. I have 5 to 15 years left (probably 7) if I have no hope for a future am I even alive? If there is a deadline to life there is no reason to do anything: no reason to study, no reason to save money, no reason to make friends, no reason to get better, no reason to dream. I mean if I'm walking to my grave I feel like I'm just wasting resources that real people need. I'm sorry, but I think about this a lot and I just never get to talk about it, I guess I'd just like some opinions. Am I alive? And I don't just mean physically, there's more to life, but am I as alive as other people? (and please I'm not asking for your pity, only your opinion)
Anonymous2012-05-17T20:46:02Z
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This is a tough question and your realy putting us on the spot here. I read through the previous answers and its so good to take in such inspiring words. Not just for you and the readers, but also for the answerers. Me too. Questions like yours allows us to and reminds ourselves of the humanity in us. The world needs that. It has a chain reaction. Many wil read your posts and it will trigger compassion which wil lead to kindness. And you might never realise how much of a hand you have in that. You might never realise that you started it. But it wil be there, and its inevitable now, and its good. However long you wil stil be physicaly with us, and whatever it is that you just did, it seems like a pretty good thing to do with the remainder of that time. Material things are tempting, very tempting, especialy for us teenagers, i know that. But they fade out.
Plan to live forever, but spiritually be ready to go today. Spoken by a man who lived to be 100. I'm sure he didn't look at his self as a walking grave. Nobody should. You can still feel, love, laugh, appreciate, see, walk, think, etc. You can eat your favorite foods and watch your favorite shows. You can make the time you have full of wonderful memories and have no regrets. You don't have to count your days just because they are less. Some people have no diseases, They talk about dying of old age and then day the next week or month. God did not make you to feel like you were living to die but to live your life until you die. Love life while you still have it. Spend it with people you love, doing the things you love. Don't be afraid to do anything you've always wanted to do. If I were you I'd even shoot for the things I know I won't be able to do. Peace, love, and just to let you know, I believe your life, yours in itself has meaning even to me, someone you don't know and to many others you will probably never meet. In fact, I know it does.
I think it goes that you just have to make the best of what life has to offer. None of us really know how long or short our lives really are; we can only get estimates I guess. A lot is to be said of living your life like it is the last day of your life. Cram as much into your life as you can and live a full life that way. I truly think life is a gift and as such we have to show that gift respect and live it as best we can. Appreciate every day as a gift, even though there are some pretty bad ones along the way there are some good ones lined up as well. You may not have a lengthy future but you can sure make it as good as you can. What do you enjoy to do? Do this and do it to the maximum! I think the Bucket List idea is a great one - enjoyment will come with the journey and not the destination. Keep this in mind, with a bit of bloody-minded determination, and you will have a good life. Make friends - You can still give as well as receive the benefit from friendships. It goes both ways. Good luck.
Yes. You are alive. You must make the most of your life. If your parents let you, you should travel the world. School might not be necessary for you, depending on how long you have. But 7 years is a long time. If you can, you should work towards something. Leave an impact on this earth, and love yourself and others, and you will die a happy man.
If your parents make you stay home and go to school and restrict you, then I'm sorry, but you're screwed. But, you need to talk them out of this should they take this stance.
Joan of arc died at 19. Alexander the great died at 29. You can do so much in little time.
I can't even begin to fathom what you must be going through. So many thoughts and doubts running through your head. But, I believe you should make the most of it. Sure, it isn't much and it isn't long, but it's what you've got. Life is temporary for everybody to begin with. If anything, I feel as if you have the potential to be more alive than most people. Take me for example. I'm working two jobs and trying to get into college, so I'm saving up all my money and I never get to enjoy my family or the money I make. I have no clue when I will die, but tomorrow could be that day and if it is, then all the money I worked for to save up, it would all be in vain. If anything, I feel more dead trying to live to make something of my untold future. But, you. You know that you don't have to build up for a future, and while, yes, that's sad and terrible, it's also an advantage. You truly can just live day to day.