Do the Math

Editor’s Post by Deborah Hetrick Catanese

Yesterday, I was caught by a hard-to-shake thought as I read an article in the Sunday newspaper about life expectancy and the possibilities (or wishful thinking) of anti-aging.  While we all should know by now that there are no guarantees on Planet Earth, I was struck by the number 78.7, which is the current life expectancy in years for Americans.

That number has stayed with me, and today I had the “courage” to look it squarely in the face.  So courageous in fact, that I decided to figure out exactly how many days I had “left” if I was to live to exactly 78.7 years.

Is THIS why I took algebra in school?!  Maybe so!  So here’s how I “did the math” on this one…

I started by converting 78.7 years into days. As Americans, we all start out with this same average number, which is 28,725.5.  (And yes, I decided to keep that half day, because lots can indeed happen in a very short time, LOL.)  Then I took my current age in years and multiplied by 365 days per year.  And next I added in the days since my last birthday.  Finally, I subtracted my days lived from the days expected, and VOILA… the theoretical number of days I have left.

But before I did the calculation, I cautioned myself, saying…”But what will you do with this number, Deborah?  Is it worth even examining or risking freaking yourself out if you aren’t going to DO anything with this number?” And my answer to my Scared-y Cat self was, “Well, I could more easily focus on the blessings of each and every day if I number them!”

So, once I got the number, a number that potentially sounded very, very ominous and not nearly enough, I stared at it for a few long, hard minutes.  And then suddenly it was easier to face the fact.  The fact that even one day is enough if you live it to the max!

Because it doesn’t take being a math whiz at my age to realize I have already lived more days than I have left.  But as fate may or may not have it, that is true for many people, regardless of their age. Life is our gift, for however long it lasts.

As for me, I am starting a new journal today.  I am beginning with Day One.  It will be a fine reminder for counting my days along with my blessings.  In a concession to my inner Scared-y Cat and in true Deborah survival fashion, I have decided to count UP instead of performing a psychologically unnecessary countdown.

So, my lovely Mamas, how do you keep yourself focused on what’s important?  What psychological shenagans do you use to motivate yourself?

Fashionably yours,

Deborah