Dying People Are Sharing Their Profound And Emotional Advice For The Living

In her iconic song "Big Yellow Taxi," Joni Mitchell sang, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." More than 50 years later, her words still ring true. Often, those with the greatest wisdom and insight into what's truly important in life are the ones who have come closest to losing their own.

Over on Quora, dying people have been answering the question: What is your advice for the living? Their brave, emotional, and profound answers will stick with you long after you read them. Take a look:

1."I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a grade 4 brain cancer. After surgery, the oncologist came back with the sad news that the statistics looked quite ugly; he gave me treatments for nine months and six months to one year to live. I was engaged to marry in a few months. We broke up; I didn't see why I would leave a widow behind and break her heart. I had no desire to pursue anything further in life. It was a time of complete shutdown."

"I wanted to quit my job, but my managers convinced me to stay with a relaxed schedule. They started to teach me statistics again. An average of one year means some people die in three years, while others die in six months, and I should have the positivity to assume I'm on the long-term survival side.

By continuing to go to work, I kept myself busy, not thinking too much about my cancer. I traveled, did some of the stuff I always wanted to do, and visited places I always wanted to go.

I started to revisit my friends, hanging out with those I really liked and getting rid of those who made me feel sad or like they pitied me.

I started to be more of a minimalist. I had no desire for all the nice stuff I'd always dreamt of, as my life seemed to come to a stop.

However, over time, I realized that I was happier. I'd started spending more time with my parents and family. They are the joy of my life. Too bad I never realized that earlier.

Eight years later, I'm still around, although the cancer hit back several times, and my left side is now paralyzed; I'm still active, going to work, participating in charities, and trying to keep myself busy and active.

My key messages would be:

— No one knows when you are going to die; all doctors have are statistics.

— Happiness is in the little things: time with family, reading a good book, listening to music, enjoying a movie, spending time on the beach and in nature.

— Appreciate what you have. Through charity work, I started to see there are so many underprivileged people who would dream of what we take for granted: running water, electricity, food, medicine, and family.

— Each night, I count at least 10 things I'm grateful for.

— I also started to journal what makes me happy and do more of that."

—Ossama S., Quora

2."As someone with stage 4 cancer, I would say: Hug people. Get hugged. Say I love you to everyone you love as many times as you can. Give people random compliments. Make people smile. I always try to make the nurses and techs and paramedics laugh. It's fun making people smile. It feels good."

—The Bippity B., Quora

3."Do everything you want to do. Don't take the little things for granted. Life is short. I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age 15. Since then, I have done everything I wanted to do. I traveled the country and even rode my last roller coaster ride about 12 years ago."

"Now, I am incredibly weak. I cannot talk very well; my voice is hoarse and raspy, and I am down to a whisper. I have to take breaths in between every three or so words.

I can't walk more than a few steps. I have a wheelchair now.

I'm constantly tired by noon.

Even eating is a challenge. A simple slice of pizza takes about 30–45 minutes to eat.

I am now 31 and have, at most, one more year left to live. I've been cheated out of a normal life, and it hurts.

Live your life to the fullest. It's the little things in life that make it so much better…don't take it for granted."

—Anonymous, Quora

4."Never wait for the right time to happen. Make it happen yourself."

—Mohit S., Quora

5."I have cancer. Maybe it will kill me, maybe not. But the statistics are not in my favor. Still, I have had time to reflect. Here's my strategy..."

"1. Be as healthy spiritually as earthly possible. I made my peace with my maker. When I pray, I don't pray for myself. I pray in gratitude for the Savior, and I pray for my family.

2. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. I took care of all the paperwork to save my family problems in probate.

3. I try to be as empathetic as possible with family and friends. I have been in their shoes and lost loved ones to cancer. In fact, that was emotionally harder than this is.

4. I'm not working now. It gives me time to appreciate simple, natural pleasures. I've always loved the sun and take full advantage of it on the patio I built.

5. Reminiscing is also good. It is an accounting of your life with others and sharing your memories with others that might otherwise be lost. It also bonds you tighter with family and friends. It is the source of laughter and smiles to fill a time that might otherwise be melancholy."

—Scott C., Quora

6."Never think about what others will think. Just do what you want to. This is the only thing that will help you lead a happy and content life. If you do wrong, learn from it and never repeat it. Invest in people who love you truly. There is nothing better than someone sitting by the side of your death bed, caring and praying for you."

—Yasmeen S., Quora

7."As a 'once' dying person back in 1993 at the age of 25, I had a tremendous amount of fear. I was a wife and mother of three small children (ages 7, 5, and 1) when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors thought I would not survive. I was told by my surgeon in the very beginning to prepare a will, prepare myself for death, and prepare my children for my death. I did all of those things but also prayed, and I mean, I prayed hard! During my treatments, I also developed a blood infection that caused sepsis. They weren't hopeful. My family was called in to say goodbye... But I'm still here."

"My advice to those living:

Play and make life fun! Fish, bowl, golf, read, skate, hike, hunt… Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, take time to do it! Don't take life seriously ALL the time, and reward yourself with what makes you happy.

Mend fences. Say what you need to say. Cherish the LIVING as if they are gone. In other words, don't wait until your mother's or father's funeral to invite guests and give a beautiful eulogy to send them off to the afterlife. Instead, throw a party in their honor and share a living eulogy with them and their friends so they know all the wonderful ways they've touched your life!

Nurture positive relationships and let go of those who have a negative impact on you. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews, tell intriguing stories of your ancestors and yourself when you were young so they can pass them on to the next generation.

Forgive. If someone has hurt you or done you wrong and they apologize, accept it. Don't leave this earth while another feels guilt or remorse; it's hard to recover from that.

And once again….play! Play hard! Laugh! Try new things! The saying is true that you cannot take your wealth with you when you go. So spend it and give freely." —Heather J., Quora

8."People who do not face death will never understand how it changes you, knowing that your days are numbered. Most people think they’ll fly around the world, do everything, see everything before they die — happily ever after. I suggest...living one moment in a moment. One day at a time. Watch sunsets/sunrises and see what birds are doing. Don’t die with unresolved issues. Make amends to those you have harmed. Try to get rid of clutter in your life. Leave this world in a peaceful state of mind. So, as you breathe your last breath, you have no more issues on your mind."

—Anthony M., Quora

9."I have a neuromuscular disease that's affecting my body in ways that the specialists thought weren't possible. I'm dying, and my immediate family isn't taking the prognosis very well. I would tell my community, but I don't see the point of causing a stir if I have 15+ years, ya know? My name is Cora. I am 18 years old. I just recently graduated from high school and start college in the fall. I have had a half year to soak in what's happening. After some reflection, I realized there's a strategy to this whole 'living' thing."

"1. Find something to believe in. It doesn't matter if it's religion or peace. I found God. I found hope and love, and as ironic as it sounds, I found life. The thing about finding that something is that it isn't just for you…it's for the defeat of nihilism.

2. Happiness. It's the little things. For me, that is my family time, reading, discovering music, kayaking, dancing in my room with my little sister, and even listening to my dad talk about whatever oddball idea he has about politics. Happiness is embracing the people and situations around you. It's empathy. It's love. Or a good melody. Happiness is being grateful for blessings and life — no matter the duration.

3.  Do what makes you happy. This kind of goes with my last point, but I need to clarify a few things:                                                                                                       

— If it is the person you like, go for it.

— Get that degree of your choice.

— Eat that slice of cake.

— Love unconditionally.

— Play that music as loud as you can.

— Most importantly, be you.

4. Love yourself. If you can't or won't, then who will? I can assure you that you are the coolest person you know. Just embrace it. Death isn't scary if you know that you went out and made yourself who you are prior to leaving this earth.

5. Get yourself out of that darkness. The longer you wade in the fear, the deeper you get. Word of advice: If you're ever down, look up baby harp seals.

To any of the young people out here, please don't give up before your story begins. Every single day is a new beginning. Live it."

—Cora H., Quora

10."Always, always let the ones you love know that you love them. Because one day, you will no longer have them. Be at peace with everything you do. Make peace with enemies. Make sure you will not regret the last words you say to someone or their words to you. Appreciate everything in life. Got cut off in traffic? That person really needs to get somewhere. Got your order screwed up? It’s OK; they have many things going on, so be kind and patient. Make a mistake? It’ll be alright; we’re all human, after all."

—Melody B., Quora

And lastly, this advice — about living in "the now" — is something all of us need to understand:

11."I am 80 years old. Big deal. We are all dying from the day we are born. When someone is called 'a dying person,' it is because they have been told that they are dying. No shit, Sherlock! You don't believe it until somebody else tells you? Yesterday is dead and gone. Tomorrow is a vague dream. You only have one time, and that is now. If you throw 'now' away worrying about yesterday or tomorrow, what do you have? Nothing."