Life is a fragile gift, a flame that flickers between dawn and dusk. With every passing year, as friends depart, some suddenly, others slowly, we are reminded that time belongs to no one. Youth, once abundant and carefree, reveals its fragility, teaching us to treasure the now.

To live is not merely to exist; it is to forgive, to express, to connect, and to love without hesitation. Forgive those who hurt you, peace is lighter to carry than bitterness.

Speak your truth; silence often withers the soul. Stay in touch with your friends; they are the mirrors that reflect our shared humanity. Care for your family, the circle that will hold your memory when you are gone.

Eat what delights you, wear your fine clothes, and never save joy for an occasion that may never come. Travel, see the world, and fill your heart with the colours of experience. When illness comes, you will rest knowing you lived fully.

For those who have crossed fifty, wisdom calls for vigilance. Visit your doctor twice a year. Early detection isn’t a fear of death, it’s a celebration of life, a way of saying thank you for more time to love, to laugh, and to live.

And when death finally comes, as it must, we leave behind every possession, every garment, every dream half-formed. Only memories remain, echoes of laughter, acts of kindness, and the love we sowed in the hearts of others.

So, while we still breathe, let us live, not cautiously, but completely.

By Dayo Adedayo