Good advice from Robin Williams: Carpe Diem

I’m not a psychic, but I know what you’re doing right now. Read on. This is the most important thing you need to do right now.

My friend Kent Holloway is a forensic investigator. Here’s what he shared with his Facebook friends on the death of Robin Williams . . .

I’m always rather baffled at the outpouring of sincere devastation on Facebook whenever a celebrity passes away. It truly befuddles me. After all, we don’t know most of these people in person. Few of us have actually met them. Their deaths do not affect us on any sort of personal level. Yet, the anguish and bereavement is so real for so many people.

I typically remain silent during these times, choosing not to say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. Instead, I usually just watch in fascination or shut Facebook down for the night until the expressions of sorrow and loss have passed.

No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world. IMDb

Tonight was different. I suppose I have had a bit of an epiphany as to why these deaths affect so many people, and leaves me, instead, bewildered. You see, with my job as a forensic death investigator, I see people dying every day (or nearly).

These people aren’t celebrities (well, most aren’t). Some die naturally, peacefully. Others die in more tragic ways. Some kiss their wives goodbye as they leave for work, and never return. Others fight valiantly for months, and even years, in sterile hospital suites.

Jokes for your friends who are sick and tired

But the point is, when I go to work, I know that sooner or later, I’m going to see death.

You must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, “Most Men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Don’t be resigned to that. Break out! IMDb

For most people, death is so distant. It’s far, far away. So foreign. So invasive. Sure, many people have lost loved ones, and have struggled with it. Then, eventually moved on. But when a celebrity dies, it’s a reminder of the brevity of life. Of just how fragile it is.

If it can claim the lives of the rich, famous, and amazingly talented, then how far away is it from claiming our own? Yes, we will miss many of these celebrities who have enriched so many lives with their talent . . . but more than that, they are reminders that we’re all connected.

We’re all part of the human race . . . and that means, no matter how much we wish things to be different, we all face this thing called death at some point in our lives.

It’s something I’m reminded of day in and day out. And I have days in which I handle that reminder better than others. But it’s common to me. Not so alien. Not so scary either. [Of course, I know the Author of all Life, so that helps a lot too.]

As we celebrate the lives of these people who have gone before us, don’t cower over the fact that we all will one day join them.

Instead, let their deaths help you live our own life better. Enjoy every single moment. Love one another. Make another person’s life even better than your own. After all, none of us know what tomorrow will bring.

J. Kent Holloway is an adventure author with a passion for edge-of-your-seat thrillers. A real-life legend tripper (looking for ghosts, cryptids, and buried treasures). When not writing or legend-tripping throughout the southeastern United States, or providing pulpit supply for various churches in northeast Florida, he works as a forensic death investigator.

 

There’s something you want to do that you’ve been putting off for a long time.

You know what I’m talking about.

Today is the day to begin.

Carpe diem. Seize today. Do it now!

 

Please don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this earth. Life is fleeting. And if you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day, make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular. IMDb