Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying

In the 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne tells Red about his dream of living in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. He imagines a simple life with an old boat, making a modest living and enjoying the freedom he dreamt of.

In 2004, Tim McGraw reminded everyone to “Live Like You Were Dying.” His song tells the story of a man with limited time who decides to experience life by skydiving, mountain climbing, and even riding a bull.

Both stories speak to something deeper than adventure. They are about choosing how to live, how to treat people, and what happens when we stop postponing “Let’s save for a special occasion”.  That time is Now.

Andy Dufresne carried hope, friendship, and joy with him. Tim McGraw sang about loving deeper, speaking sweeter, and becoming more forgiving.

This sentiment strikes me as particularly important this week because a dear friend of mine has passed away.

My friend lived a long life. He used his gifts to create success for himself and for the people he cared about. Beneath the defensive walls he sometimes carried was a warm, kind, sensitive man who was full of love. More importantly, he was deeply loved.

He once told me that he had waited until later in life to really get busy living. There had been responsibilities, expectations, and fears. There were always reasons to wait, to be careful, or to save.

He never wanted to jump out of a plane, climb mountains, or ride a bull named Fumanchu. Instead, He loved. He traveled. He planned. He enjoyed his morning coffee and took great pride in his beautifully manicured backyard. He made time for family and lifelong friends, weekly lunches, celebrations, and the simple pleasures that gave his life meaning.

My friend's 2026 Hollywood movie would be about driving to a new restaurant with the top down on a convertible, sitting beside the person he loved. It would be about coffee and treats with friends, weekly lunches, and finding reasons to celebrate.

For him, living like you are dying was about making the ordinary worth living.

My friend is now resting peacefully, having lived a life he once thought only other people could have.

As the rest of us wipe away our tears, it would honor him greatly to… Get busy living.