For most of us, at the end of our lives, our lives are going to come down to the square footage of a hospital bed. –Rabbi Steve Leder
Rabbi Leder said this in an interview on the podcast Everything Happens. Something we don’t want to hear. Yet, if we allow ourselves to ponder it, this truth is lifegiving.
I’m not really there, but in natural fashion, I’m thinking ahead a little too much. The “there” I’m referring to is downsizing. I already live in less than 800 square feet. How much more downsizing can I do?
The downsizing I’m thinking about is more along the lines of stuff, not necessarily space. There’s only so much that can join me in a hospital bed. And that makes me wonder, “How can I best gradually work my way there?”
I’m guessing it’s more about what’s in my mind and heart when my body says, “This is all I need.” Between now and then, here’s to filling my mind and heart with things that don’t require earthly square footage-answers to the prayer, “On earth as it is in heaven.”
P.S. Here’s a question: Exactly how much square footage will we get in heaven?
Photo by Alex Tyson on Unsplash
John Gregory 
Good morning, John. I really appreciate this post. You caused me to reflect on Carlos Castenada’s four enemies of a Man of Knowledge. Castenada was an academic fraud, yet much of the philosophy shared in his books continue to have relevance. This one in particular, about reaching the point of personal growth where life and death are of equal merit, changed my thinking in the 1970’s and helped direct my life toward one of equanimity, a longer term perspective, and a passion for learning:
Preparing to die, from both the spiritual and humanist perspectives, should possibly be one of our lifelong pursuits. It changes what appears important to own, be and do.
Regards,
Steve
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Thanks for sharing that connection, Steve.
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