How Long Do We Want to Live?

 How Long Do We Want to Live?

Recently, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of a very close friend—a man whose resilience and determination were truly extraordinary. Despite grappling with serious health challenges, his will to live never wavered. He was a man of immense character, energy, and passion, someone who made a lasting impact on everyone he met. As a businessman, showman, DJ, and mentor, he carved his place in the vibrant nightlife of Miami, forever altering its landscape with his multiple endeavors. His strength and unwavering commitment to living life to the fullest have led me to reflect deeply on an essential question: How long do we really want to live?

We live in a world that often celebrates youth, ambition, and the drive to extend life indefinitely. We make plans, dream big, and look ahead to the future, always hoping for more birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones. But the reality is that life is unpredictable, and time—whether we acknowledge it or not—runs out for all of us. At some point, we’re faced with the question of how much time is enough. My friend's passing has made me confront this, and I can't help but wonder: Do we want more years simply out of fear, or do we genuinely want to experience more?

The Will to Live vs. The Reality of Health

My friend’s will to live was unshakable. Even in the face of declining health, he never stopped fighting. He was a man who had spent his life surrounded by lights, music, and the excitement of the Miami nightlife. From his days spinning records as a DJ to mentoring younger generations of nightclub entrepreneurs, he did what he loved, pouring his heart into it every night. But despite his best efforts, his body eventually couldn’t keep up with his spirit. In many ways, he defied the odds, outliving doctors’ expectations, continuing to do what he loved to the very end.

His experience has forced me to ask an uncomfortable question: Is it possible that our desire to live longer is often rooted in fear—fear of leaving too soon, fear of missing out, or simply fear of the unknown? My friend’s determination to keep going was inspiring, but his passing has reminded me that sometimes, no matter how strong our will to live is, our bodies can only carry us for so long. And that raises an important question—do we truly want more time, or are we afraid of what happens when time runs out?

The Challenge of Aging

As we move into our 60s and beyond, the awareness of our mortality grows stronger. We start to anticipate how much time we might have left and begin to reassess our health, both physical and mental. The more we witness the passing of our peers and elders, the more real the reality of our limited time becomes. But how do we reconcile the inevitability of aging with our desire to keep living?

Is there a point when we stop counting the years and start appreciating the time we’ve had? My friend's passing has highlighted this—he lived fully and fearlessly, even when it was clear that his time was running out. His energy and zest for life, even in his final days, serve as a reminder that it’s not about how much time we have left, but how we choose to live the time we’re given.

As we age, we may become increasingly aware of how precious our days are. But it is in these moments of reflection that we also ask ourselves: How do we want to spend the time we have left? What truly brings us joy? How can we make the final chapters of our lives meaningful and impactful?

Making Peace with Time

In my friend’s final days, I was fortunate enough to be by his side. Watching him, I saw a shift in his attitude. Despite the pain and struggles, there was a quiet acceptance that came over him. This wasn’t defeat—it was peace. His body, once strong and full of energy, had finally reached its limit. But his mind, his spirit, remained unwavering. He had done what he loved. He had poured everything into his work, his community, and his loved ones. And I realized that perhaps that’s all we can ask for—to make peace with the time we’ve been given.

Making peace with time doesn’t mean giving up—it means shifting our focus from the quantity of years to the quality of life. My friend’s life wasn’t measured by how many years he lived but by how fully he lived them. In the last years of his life, he continued to mentor, inspire, and show up for those who mattered most. His legacy is not in the number of days he had, but in the impact he left behind.

As we age, we might find it harder to embrace the ticking of the clock. But peace comes when we realize that life’s value isn’t determined by how much time we have left, but by how well we live it. To make peace with time, we must stop measuring life in years and start cherishing the moments we are given. Whether we have many years ahead or only a few, the time we have left is precious.

Reflecting on What We’ve Accomplished

In the days after my friend’s passing, I found myself reflecting on what he had achieved. He was not just a businessman or a DJ; he was a mentor, a guide, and a creator of spaces where people could come together, dance, and experience joy. He built an empire in Miami’s nightlife scene, and yet his greatest legacy was not in the clubs or the events he organized, but in the relationships he forged, the people he mentored, and the lives he touched.

His story is a reminder that the true measure of a life well-lived is not in the number of years but in the difference we make in the world. My friend lived fully, and his influence will be felt for generations to come. This is the essence of living well—not in how long we live, but in how deeply we live.

The Final Thought: Living Well

So, how long do we want to live? Maybe the real question isn’t about the length of our days but about the quality of our lives. As we age, we may become more aware of the clock ticking down, but the goal is not to desperately cling to time—it’s to make the most of the time we have. My friend, until the very end, lived a life of passion, joy, and connection. His passing has taught me that we don’t need to fear running out of time; we need to focus on making the most of the time we’re given.

In honoring my friend’s life, I’ve come to understand that peace isn’t about avoiding death—it’s about embracing life with purpose, love, and acceptance. As we age, we can shift our focus from striving for more years to living fully in the years we have. In the end, it’s not how long we live, but how well we live that matters.