If the end of the world were really nigh, what would you do differently?

Some popular (not to say crank) theories floating around predict a relatively imminent End of the World.

• Harold Camping expects that the Rapture will occur on May 21, 2011 (a week from this writing).
• Some interpreters of the Mayan calendar calculate that the end of the world is coming on Dec. 21, 2012. (What is so dreadful about the number 21, I wonder?)

Whether the end will be precipitated by rapture, rupture, or (my personal favorite) the second law of thermodynamics, how would it change your life if you actually believed you knew the date of such an occurrence?

Armageddon outta here 

Talk about a perception shift. I think it would concentrate the mind wonderfully, and cause one to clarify one's philosophy of life in a hurry. What values are really important? What actions might have eternal consequences, and thus need to be taken immediately?

As a natural skeptic, I am pretty sure I would hedge my bets no matter how strong my belief in an impending cataclysm. I wouldn't burn any bridges, literally or figuratively. I would not sell the house, max out my credit cards, tell off my boss, or do a smash-and-grab at Neiman Marcus.

I wouldn't fritter away my time, either. My priorities would be to repent for my sins as best I could, heal any broken relationships that were within my power to do so, and stay as close to my family members (and pets) as possible.

I would enjoy myself, too, in some harmless carnal ways -- the condemned prisoner's last meal, sort of thing. Chocolate pancakes come to mind. But the key to enjoying my last days would consist in moderation. I'd hate to waste my final hours having a stomach ache or a hangover.

I would enjoy Nature as much as possible, but not be afraid of staying indoors. If the Rapture were really coming, I'm quite sure it wouldn't require retractable roofs to work.

I would draw a line under my level of accomplishments and my life's œuvre. Another jot or tittle here or there would have no meaning if the world were ending in a few days. I'd put away the drafts. Stop updating the blog. Resign myself to never organizing my photos, speaking Italian, playing the piano, or becoming a saint.

The bucket list, abridged

That doesn't mean I wouldn't address any of the items on my bucket list. Some would be impossible to accomplish in a short time period (that cruise around the world) and others would be too frivolous to spend my energy on (dancing a quadrille in period costume). But I would want to enjoy some other things -- like taking a safari, or lolling around in warm ocean waters. This would clearly be the time to show my appreciation for God's great handiwork in Creation.

On reflection, there is nothing stopping me from doing the high-priority things mentioned above right now. That is the true benefit of clarifying your values. It tells you how to live in the now, and to live without regrets.

Your turn 

I'm curious to know how other people would spend their last days under the conviction that the entire world was coming to an end. Please comment below, and let's compare notes.