A few weeks ago I watched the movie One Week starring Joshua Jackson who after being diagnosed with cancer, decides to travel by motorcycle across Canada from Toronto through the Prairies to Tofino, British Columbia. I really enjoyed seeing all the tourist sites from around Canada, many of which I recognized, including the statue of Terry Fox outside Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Joshua Jackson’s character in the movie, Ben Tyler, has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and rather than going through with his treatment right away, decides to take a time out from his life and go on a personal journey. He takes one week from his usual life for this road trip and meets various people along the way and has several epiphanies about his life and what he wants to do with his remaining time.
The movie shares his journey for that one week and had many profound moments in the film.
I don’t want to spoil the movie for those who intend on renting this ‘Love Letter to Canada’, but there’s another message from the film I can’t get out of my head.
Besides the idea of what you would do if you were diagnosed with a life-threatening disease and what you would do to find meaning, is another message. You see, when Ben was quite young he wanted to sing and was told by his parents that he had a ‘voice of an angel’. When he sang in the school choir however, a teacher told him that he couldn’t sing (out of revenge for his school behaviour) and so he never did again. Some time later, Ben wanted to be a writer and wrote his first book which was never published. He gave up too early and didn’t continue to submit it, even though there were publishing companies who were desperate for the kind of books that he wrote.
These examples have stuck with me because it reminds me of the affect various people have on our lives and their ability to either support us or to tear us down.
How one unthoughtful word or hidden agenda can derail someone’s dream.
Ben didn’t know that his teacher was out for revenge when she told him that he couldn’t sing and so destroyed whatever burgeoning belief that he had about his singing abilities. This lack of support resulted in a lack of self-confidence to pursue his other dreams. But, it turns out Ben is a publishable writer and he just needed to believe in himself and trust his abilities.
Believing in himself, going after his dreams – regardless of the amount of time he had left, and believing that his life had meaning, are just some of the messages in the film. It’s not going to win an Oscar, but if you’re looking for a thought-provoking story, with tons of Canadian scenery and Canadiana in it, check out One Week.
It’s one of those movies whose messages really stay with you. Throughout the entire movie, when I wasn’t exclaiming over the scenery and tourist sites, I kept thinking of what if I only had one week?
What if someone supported my dreams more?
What dream-snatchers have affected my life without me being aware of it?
When you get those rare moments of clarity, those flashes when the universe makes sense, you try desperately to hold on to them. They are the life boats for the darker times, when the vastness of it all, the incomprehensible nature of life is completely illusive. So the question becomes, or should have been all a long… What would you do if you knew you only had one day, or one week, or one month to live. What life boat would you grab on to? What secret would you tell? What band would you see? What person would you declare your love to? What wish would you fulfil? What exotic locale would you fly to for coffee? What book would you write? – One Week
What would you do if you only had One Week?
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3. From Homeless To The Infopreneur – Guest Post
4. Do You Need To Let Go and Forgive?
5. Are You Being Your True Authentic Self?
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I look at things from the “if this were my last day” point of view fairly often to help me live in alignment with my values and priorities.It’s an incredible wake-up call when I find myself getting stressed over things that would quickly drop off my “to-do” list in those final hours. I’d want to spend time enjoying nature, indulging my senses, being quiet, and handing out a lot of farewell/see you later hugs.
Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..Win a Copy of the 4-Hour Sleep Week
Hi Jean,
I agree that thinking that it’s your last day would focus your thoughts onto what’s important in life. All the other BS would fall by the wayside, for sure.
Thanks,
Karen
If I had one week I would come to peace with God (as I do throughout my life) and go crazy doing things I’d never done before but always wanted to like reading a book backwards and then writing a journal about it and explain why I read it backwards to being with which there is no explanation for it, I just did.
After that, I would spend time with those I love and go after one more crazy dream of mine (can’t think of any right now lol).
Eric´s last blog ..Why You Should Be Your Blog
I’m with you Eric. I think I would be jumping out of airplanes, jetting off to see the Pyramids and do some amazing adventures before it was too late. Then, I would come to peace with everything and be with my family.
Love the post. I would want to find a way to make peace with the whole thing. Not sure I’d be able to. Maybe go sky diving then. Why the hell not?
Moon Hussain´s last blog ..Fun Friday Round-Up: Best PI/PF Posts of the Week
Exactly – why the hell not?
Thanks,
Karen
Gosh that is a very good question. If I only had one week I would try to find a way to make it seem like forever. I live every minute to the fullest, eat, drink and lay on a beach with my family and friends.
That sounds great – I’m sure a lot of people would want to do the same. It’s amazing how much time you can fit into one week.
Thanks,
Karen
I heard a saying once that said…”There is no use in telling anybody about your problems. Truth is 99% of the people don’t care, and the other 1% are glad you have a problem”.
Not that it ties directly into this…but it ties into the dreamsnatchers idea. What if people did care? What if people supported one another?
ahhh…would be a much better world.
BrandonBurgh
BrandonBurgh´s last blog ..Victim or Champion? How I Really Feel…
I agree, Brandon. If people actually supported each other more, maybe our dreams wouldn’t die inside of us. Who knows where we would be as a society if people had the courage and support necessary to follow their dreams and visions for their lives?
Thanks,
Karen
Nice post Karen. Sometimes we let days past without really giving it all that we’ve got. If we had one week left, what would we really want to do? Thinking like this I think helps motivate us to doing the things that we are usually scared of or fear. Even though I don’t usually like thinking about it, if I only had one week left to live, I would start telling the people I love how much I love them and how much I appreciate them. Your post helped open me up to the fact that we don’t need to wait we’re in a desperate situation to do these things. Thanks Karen.
Hi Hulbert,
Glad that you liked the post and the reminder that we shouldn’t have to wait for when we’re in desperate situations to tell people how much they mean to us or to act in a way that motivates us to move past our fear.
Thanks for sharing,
Karen
I started Reading this and thought, “blimey Eleanor has clearly got a lot of Canadian Knowledge, after all, who is Terry Fox”. Then I scrolled back up and saw it was you Karen! Now it all makes sense!
I think you should have a list of things you really want to do and build them into your life as often as you can. I wouldn’t want anyone to be in the situation where in their final days they couldn’t afford to do something that they dreamed about.
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..How to write your ebook (part 3)
Blimey, Matthew, you were confused!
You don’t know who Terry Fox is? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox
He ran across Canada raising funds and awareness for Cancer, but only made it as far as Thunder Bay before his cancer stopped him. We have yearly Terry Fox runs to commenorate him and raise further funds. He’s a national hero in Canada and around the world.
You’re right of course, build those things that you really want to do in your daily life and don’t wait until you only have one week left. Why not start today?
Thanks,
Karen
Well even more confused than I thought to be honest. I thought I was on Eleanor’s site. Now, that’s the problem when you use an RSS reader on your iPhone!
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..How to write your ebook (part 3)
Hi Karen,
I really have no idea what I would do if given one week to live. I think I would be more inclined to make sure my kids were happy and looked after, this is what I always maintain in their lives and I would make sure or at least try my best to make sure they remain that way and have no demons or self doubt and they can achieve anything they put their mind too. I would spend the time I had left with my kids, nothing else is more important to me than them.
Wonderful post Karen, as always, and today I was in much need of some ‘Karen Karma’ as the last few days have been not too pleasant.
Maria´s last blog ..Blogging, Lipstick and Killer Heels
Hi Maria,
Always glad to be able to supply you with some ‘Karen Karma’. Sorry to hear that you haven’t been having the best of days lately.
Spending the time with your children who are the most important people in your life sounds like a wonderful time.
Thanks,
Karen
Oh boy, a vital question, Karen
I would probably call all my friends and live life even more to the fullest – cherishing every second of it. In fact, I do this already – trying to get as much out of life as possible – and sharpening my true, authentic self to enjoy it even more.
It’s soo easy to get back in the same rut – you have to be really conscious about – not letting your mind go on autopilot again. It’s a daily challenge, but I’m up to it !
Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Why Standing out can bring Amazing Results !
HI Mars,
I would try and live life to the fullest, too, especially if I only had one week. It’s easy to fool ourselves that we have years and years of time left, but you never know when your number is up! Or when you will be faced with a life-threatening disease. Heady stuff indeed!
Thanks,
Karen
Hahahaha Mars mate, with your default level of enthusiasm for life, you’d friggin self implode or something LOL!
Alex´s last blog ..How to Write A Review that Sells!
Hi Karen,
I would connect with friends and relatives to travel, take in nature’s wonders, and spend quality time together. Growing families and ever shifting schedules have affected the opportunities to do this over the years. It may not happen this week, but I’m working on it
Take care,
Kim
Kim´s last blog ..Courage: Not Just for Superheroes
Hi Kim,
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you continue to work on connecting with those people who are important in your life. I know what it’s like to be far from family – the times we did/do have with them are even more precious.
Thanks,
Karen
I read a book that was similar to this recently. It was called One Month to Live and it sparked the same kinds of thoughts that the movie did for you. It’s an awesome book about getting right with God if you’re interested!
Mike Roosa´s last blog ..Forum Marketing Ninja Tip #4 – How May I Help You?
Welcome Mike,
Thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds very interesting and pertinent.
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know about it,
Karen
I hate questions like this. They always make me feel sad. I’d echo Maria I guess and just want to spend all my time with my loved ones but to be honest, when I get to my final week of life, I’d prefer not to know it. I’m not scared of death. It’s purely the thought of the people I’d be leaving behind that makes me want to run away and hide.
Instead, can I focus on the message about dream catchers and dream snatchers? If I think too much about anything else I know I will cry and I don’t want to cry today
The thing I’ve got from this post and the follow up comments is the need to appreciate every single day. I was in the process of typing ‘enjoy’ every day but I know that really that is impossible. What is there to enjoy about cleaning up vomit for example? Or a visit to the dentist – does anyone enjoy that? But we can appreciate these things (even if we don’t like them) and that’s the most important thing I got from this.
Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..1 Minute Motivator: Wednesday Warmer
Hi El,
You’re right, I don’t think we can really enjoy every single day, but we can appreciate that we are still here, still have our family, food on the table, a roof over our heads and have what we need.
I wouldn’t want to know that it was my last week, either.
Thanks,
Karen
Great topic of discussion, something I think EVERYONE has entertained at some point. For me I see it as an indirect negative, but obviously I will not only see this aspect, but this is the first thought that ran through the follicles of brain tissue existing somewhere north of my nipples…. If I had only 1 week, I would spend it with my wife and two beautiful children. I would not go near my PC because this is,well, a PC. But when I look simply at the perspective this gives me, I dont see my business as important.
Obviously there are many facets to this point, but you get my gist I hope. We should prioritise what is important, but sometimes that is not necessarily those people in our lives, but what we are doing online in an effort to massively improve those peoples lives.
Does that make sense?
I think I brain my damaged…
Alex´s last blog ..How to Write A Review that Sells!
Welcome Alex,
I wouldn’t even touch my PC or TV or anything electronic either. Except maybe to buy a plane ticket
It makes total sense to me
It certainly does put things into perspective. Your family is the most important thing to you and that’s who I’d want to be with, too.
Thanks,
Karen
hi karen,
how are you?
i need to spend time thinking about this and i will post my thoughts shortly.
there are so many things that come to mind from family(most important), to purpose, good times…,
but this is a very important question and i am also asking myself what legacy do i leave behind and what am i known for currently at home, work, with friends, clients, etc
am i just rambling here? I will be back
ayo´s last blog ..A Determined Spirit (Dominique’s story of learning to live with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS))
Hi Ayo,
The legacy question has been raised so far, so thank you for bringing that up. I hadn’t really thought about it before but now *you’ve* got me thinking. Hmm, I wonder what my legacy will be and will it be enough?
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
hi karen
i am back.
now if i had only one week left,
i would have my family(nuclear and extended) all around me, do so many exciting things together, take pictures, run around, have loads of trips together if it’s possible in a day, eat together.
i would also remind them of the bond and love we share while enjoying ourselves.
visit call,close friends
support my local church
spend more hours doing youth work, befriending and mentoring(curently i spend 2 hrs a week).
give the vulnerable, lost, depressed, abused HOPE. remind them of my story, telling them they have an opportunity to live life even in the fiercest of all lifes battles
engage in many activities creating an awareness that we can live fulfilling lifes
go to work for a few hours ONLY FOR ONE DAY.
give an inspirationational message and also a sermon.
reflect on life and reviewing all that I have done, being at peace with God, Worshipping,appreciating for the gift of life and getting myself ready to meet my maker.
there is a lot more but these are ones that come to mind
ayo´s last blog ..7 Lessons Learnt From A Break Up
Welcome back, Ayo
It sounds as if you’ve really given it a lot of thought and I’m glad that you have clarity regarding your life. We should all be as fortunate as you!
Thanks for sharing us what you would do if you only had one week.
Karen
I have been in the position where I thought I had about 20 seconds to live and all I could think about was that I have so much still to live for, so much still do to, as my life flashed before me…
If I only had one week to live the last thing I would want to do is waste it travelling. I would spend it with friends and family, chilling out talking, drinking, laughing and having lots of fun with my girl….
Welcome William,
I agree that spending time with your family and the ones you love would be of the highest priority. Making memories with them, rather than spending time on traveling would be what many of us would do.
Wow, 20 seconds to live? Sorry to hear about the close call, but you’re very lucky to have not only survived but given the opportunity to have blazing clarity forced upon your life. I’m sure that it put everything into perspective.
Thanks for sharing,
Karen