The Pearly Gates

Have you ever thought about how you're going to go? By go, I mean leave this world, this life that you are currently living. Have you ever thought of going to a psychic to try and find out? I was thinking about it, and an one hand, if you always thought about death, it would kind of screw you up. On the other hand, knowing when you are going to go could kind of help you, couldn't it? You would know you could survive everything else.

I've always wondered about how it would all end for me. And who decides how it happens? Who picks and chooses who makes it to 93; who doesn't even graduate highschool; who doesn't even leave the hospital? Why do some get cancer, some have car accidents, some just go with time? Is it possible to 'cheat' death? Is there such thing as being at the wrong place at the wrong time? Is there a 'plan' for everyone, or does everything just happen? Do some people leave this earth, to teach us a lesson? Does everything happen for a reason? These questions fill my brain quite often. With no clear answer in sight.

I've never been a religious person, but I have been baptized and confirmed. My dads anglican, and my mom is catholic. My mom has a very close relationship to God, but I struggle with the idea. I think the bible has some great stories, but I am uncertain as to how true they are. Even if they aren't true, and you take out the religion, the bible has good morals and good lessons to learn. Its just about your interpretation of the stories.

I have never really believed in the typical "Heaven & Hell". I just can't imagine dying, seeing Jesus guide me to the white light, and then being greeted by God at the big pearly gates up on cloud 9. I'm sure i'd be greeted by the red devils in the burning inferno anyways! I just find that what most people consider heaven and hell its just too much of a dramatic story, and I don't buy it. To the people reading this, that DO believe in heaven and hell and you plan on being greeted at the pearly gates, all the power to you! I can see how other people can believe that they are headed there and that is what they are going to see, and I have no issue with them or their opinions. Mine just differ.

I think that when you die, you go to your happy place. Wherever you like. The world stays the same, just the people change. You are now in the after life, with everyone else that has passed before you. You aren't in any pain, you look the same, just healthier. For me, I would be on a beach in Key West Florida, waiting for Jimmy Buffet, having a drink in Margaritaville singing "Its 5 O'Clock Somewhere". I'd be relaxing and watching over my family in friends, without a worry in the world. For some people, they would be playing video games with the newest most hi-tech systems, not waiting until midnight for the new game to come out, because they would have it already. They'd be drinking Dr.Pepper, singing Come Sail Away, and be free from pain. They would be in a better place.

For those of you reading this and thinking, "that is ridiculous!". I'm okay with that! There is no way of ever know what happens once you go, this is just what i'm hoping for. I am in no way ready to leave this world, I have so many plans and adventures that I want to experience. Who knows if my plan is the true plan that my life has set..

So because no one knows when their last day will be.. dance in the rain; learn to play piano; start a blog; get a job at your favorite store just for the staff discount; call your parents just to say hi; treat yourself; wear matching outfits as your siblings (even though you are 18+); eat the chocolate cake with extra icing; tell someone off; skydive; take naps; laugh at a corny joke; make a bucket list; drive hours just to visit someone for a night; put family first; backpack europe; get drunk at a country concert; learn a new language; go on a date with someone who isn't your 'type'; make a scrapbook; say please & thank you; kiss the unkissed; hug the unhugged; love the unloved; because at the end of the day, its your life and you should live it the way you want to. In twenty years time, you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than the ones you did.

And always, always remember ..

"We're here for a good time, not a long time. So have a good time, the sun can't shine everyday. And the sun is shinin' in this rainy city. And the sun is shinin', isn't it a pity? That every year, has its share of tears, every now and then its gotta rain. We're here for a good time, not a long time. So have a good time, the sun can't shine everyday."

- Trooper