A few years ago, I had a dream where I was walking on the usual sidewalk near my university. As I passed by so many people, I couldn’t help but wonder why none of them seemed to notice me. It was a weird feeling. When I tried to approach some of the passersby, they just ignored me. After a while, a woman approached me—she was the only one who could see and hear me. She then explained that I was already a “soul.” I was taken aback and tried to process what she meant.

“What do you mean? I’m dead?”

She didn’t tell me how I died, but I was suddenly taken to my own wake, where I saw my mom, family members, and friends. My mom kept crying, and I tried to approach her, but she couldn’t hear or see me. I wanted to say so many things to my family and friends who were there, but I felt so helpless. It all felt so real that I woke up from the dream crying.

Imagine going about your day, having things planned for tomorrow—and suddenly, you’re gone. You don’t get to say goodbye to your loved ones or fix any broken relationships. It’s all too late.

You are with them but they can’t see or hear you.

Sometimes I think about dying from something like cancer, because at least I’d have time to say goodbye to everyone. But unfortunately, we don’t get to choose how we die.

If you died now, would your loved ones be at peace? Would they be taken care of? Oh—and no, this is not a sales pitch for life insurance.

These are just some of the many things I think about whenever I’m reminded of that dream. The feeling still affects me.

What would you do if today were your last day on Earth?