check*list

Like I mentioned here, I have a LIST of things to do before my 26th year is up. One of those things being that I need to read EIGHT books willingly. I emphasize the EIGHT because... well... I don't read much, and it's probably eight times more books then I read in the previous year. I add the willingly because I have to read stuff for school... and I figured that shouldn't count.
Believe it or not (with over a month before deadline) I FINISHED my eighth book!

Not being the most avid reader, I'm always hesitant when it comes to picking up a book. I worry that I won't like it, or I will only make it past the first chapter and then loose interest. So when I grabbed this one my guard was up.
But after a half hour of reading- I was hooked. I loved the story (a man near the end of life sharing his life's insights), the people (Morrie: the professor who as ALS; Mitch: who used to be his college student), and the words of wisdom...

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." (p.43)

"You have to find what's good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue." (p.120)

To hear advice on life, or more so the end of life is bizarre (probably because no one ever talks about it). But it's cool because how often do you think about it? How often do we live life with the end in mind? How would you do things differently when you know you are on a time limit? What becomes important? What do you value?