As my birthday approached this week, I wondered how life might be different if we knew how much time we had left. Would knowing our expiry date change how we spend our time?
Welcome to the 121st edition of The Sunday Spark, a series with weekly thoughts and highlights, nuggets of learning, and a simple living challenge for the week. In addition to pondering our expiry dates, this week’s edition looks at plastic that biodegrades in saltwater, generating electricity from the power of waves, and staying hydrated with water.
On my mind this week: Would you want to know your expiry date?
Today is my 61st birthday. When you reach a certain age, birthdays always make you pause and reflect on how you’re living your life. They also offer an opportunity to ask yourself what you want to do with the days, weeks and years you have left.
Fittingly, this week I read Liane Moriarty’s latest novel Here One Moment. The book tells the story of a strange lady who predicts the age and time of death for each passenger on a flight. Naturally, people for whom she predicted an imminent or premature death reacted more strongly than those who were told they could look forward to a long life.
As I read the book, I considered whether I’d want to know this information and what I’d do with it if I did know.
Then, our carbon monoxide detector jolted us awake in the middle of the night signalling its “end of life”. That made me wonder how life would be different if, like that smoke detector, we were all born with a known lifespan and expiry date.
Would this information change how we live our lives?
If we knew how much time we had, would it change how we live? Maybe we’d procrastinate more—leaving things for later because we’d know later was guaranteed. If we knew our expiry date wasn’t today, perhaps we’d be less anxious about things like flying or heights. Would we spend more or less time with the people we love if we knew how many more opportunities we’d have?
But life isn’t like that. None of us knows how much time we have. We can only make the best of each day and live an intentional life that aligns with our values so we don’t reach our expiry date with regrets.
Ultimately, it’s probably best that we don’t know our date of death. But I’m curious. Would you want to know? How would you live differently if you did know? Drop me a comment below with your thoughts.
As for my birthday, I’ll be celebrating later today with my mum and my three sisters. It will be the first time in over 50 years that I’ve been able to spend my birthday with all three of my sisters.
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Three highlights of the week
It’s important to celebrate big milestones and simple pleasures in life. Keeping the trend going, here are three highlights and simple pleasures of the week gone by:
- My sister Angela arrived safely from England on Sunday. It’s so nice to spend time with her.
- Wednesday was our 31st wedding anniversary. My husband and I spent a lovely day in nearby Stratford. We walked along the river, explored the town shops, and then enjoyed an early dinner. On the way home, we stopped for ice cream cones at Moo’s in Shakespeare.
- On Thursday evening, I volunteered in the warehouse at Send ‘Em Off Smiling—a local charity that outfits children in need with backpacks, clothes and supplies for back to school.
Things I learned this week
Life is all about learning. Here are some things I learned this week:
Saltwater biodegradable plastic
Here’s a little good news for Plastic Free July. Japanese scientists have developed a new plastic that performs as well as fossil-fuel derived plastics, but biodegrades in seawater in just 8.5 hours. The plastic is also non-flammable, colourless, and transparent.
(Source: Happy Eco News)
Generating electricity from ocean waves
Could ocean and tidal power be the next frontier in green energy? Scientists estimate ocean waves could generate nearly ten times Europe’s annual electricity consumption.
Unlike other green energy sources, ocean waves and tides follow a consistent and predictable pattern. Projects in several countries are working to prove the viability of the technology. For example, Portugal’s northern coast hosts wave energy converters actively supplying power to the national grid.
Given the punishing ocean environment and corrosive effects of saltwater, the development challenges are significant. However, the unlimited energy generating potential makes this a technology to watch.
(Source: Happy Eco News)
This week’s simple living challenge – Stay hydrated with water
Simplifying life is a big part of living more intentionally. With that in mind, I kicked off the year with 52 ways to simplify your life this year, including a downloadable checklist of weekly tasks.
With the extreme heat of summer taking its toll, staying hydrated is critical. This week’s challenge is to choose water over sugary drinks or alcohol.
I’d love to hear what you think about any of this week’s topics. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts and ideas.
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Have a great birthday! You have a Stratford in Canada?
Yes, we have a Stratford and it’s on the Avon River, too! It’s a very pretty town about a half hour drive from where we live. And, it hosts a large theatre festival every year that puts on Shakespearean plays and other shows as well. Sound familiar?
I read this quote recently, and it has given me pause and spurred me on, “Time is promised to no one.”
Very true, Caroline. I think we need to make the best of each day and spend time on things, and with people, that are most important to us.
Wow, a really thought-provoking post and question! I would not choose to know, but I do acknowledge that it would probably change how I live (no matter whether it would be long or short). I would just be very aware that I would want to enjoy the time I have and be fulfilled by it—which is really how I should be living anyway, but I let things get in the way (maybe there’s a lesson in that). Very interesting to think about!
It really is interesting to think about. I would rather not know but it’s a reminder that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and we need to be more intentional.
I’m with the others and have no interest in knowing when I’m going to die. Part of the allure of life is not knowing what is going to happen each day. It’s like we get to write our script each day.
So true, Pete. I think knowing the date far in advance would lead to procrastination and we might enjoy life less. There’s something about not knowing that keeps us on our toes. 😀
Happy birthday, Michelle, and enjoy the rare celebration with all your siblings. I enjoyed your thoughtful reflection on life. I know the way I look at life is different now in my 40s than in my 30s and I bet the appreciation for the finiteness of our time in this life gets clearer with each passing birthday too.
Thanks, Ab. Yes, the passing of time definitely provides a different perspective than I had when I was younger. I have a different sense of what matters—and what doesn’t—now.
Happy birthday! And about your question, I wouldn’t like to know my “expiry date” 😃
Thank you! That seems to be the common sentiment here. People generally don’t want to know.
Happy Birthday Michelle! I too just read the Moriarty book. Certainly makes you think about what’s important but I decided that I’d rather not know and just attempt to live my life in the best way I can knowing someday it will end.
Thanks, Deb! That’s how I feel too. I think knowing that date would just create additional stress.
I love the thought exercise of how knowing your date of death would affect your life. As for me, I don’t want to know. I’m ok one day at a time
Me, too! I’d rather not know.
Milestones and simple pleasures…I love those thoughts, Michelle. Most of all — Happy, Happy Birthday! 🥰
Thank you so much for the good wishes, Vicki. Have a wonderful Sunday! 🤗
You too! 🥰