"live like you're Dying". It's completely different when you're actually Dying

[chingy-vang]

When people hear "live like you're dying", they assume it's to go all out in life. To live like there's no tomorrow, give everyone a hug, eat anything, sleep with hookers, be Free and be happy. But it's very different when one is actually dying. When a person knows that death is soon, their mind changes. They're always worried about what's going to happen after their last breath, what happens to the loved ones left behind, how are they going to pay for the expenses, who's going to take care of what, etc. It's a very psychological thing that deteriorates them both emotionally and psychically. Everyone's heard of thinking positive as a cure, having hope but now people see why this is nearly impossible in the dying's mind. Everyday they feel weaker and they only get more stressed, there's no room to think positive.

They dont feel like giving hugs because why do others deserve a hug when they've done worse in life, yet dont suffer from such misery. They dont sleep with hookers because their reproductive organs have shut down. They have no appetite and any food forced down will come back up. They can't be happy because the pain they feel is real to them, and it's unfair. So when people use the words "to live like you're dying", they dont know the meaning meaning behind it at all.

[DonJuan]

It sounds like the phrase was misinterpreted as you are taking it literally.

It means live a meaningful life as though every day was your last day
otherwise only regrets may rest with you in the last hours of your
life.

Death stands an arm’s away behind to the left, always, even when its
lights are turned off.  However, men live like fools, and think they
will go on and expect to grow old, and old age will take them.
Therefore, they get angry, upset, hold their self-importance high
because they think time is on their side until Death’s lights beam
them.

Only then will they realize Death was always by their side, and most
things they have done were trivial.

[DonJuan]

I know so because I walk and talk with Death every day from the Halls
of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.  I greet him first as I wake
up.  I open him the door as I jump into my car.  I wait for him as I cross
the street on 3rd Ave in that busy intersection.

I give him the respect, not due to fear but rather because of the love
of life.  And once in the heat of the desert, he said to me:

“I am the shadow in the sun when no shade was your shelter, the
shining light in your rearview mirror on those late date nights as you
drifted in the dreams of yours. I am what life fears most.

Silence is my companion; I am my own witness. I have no master, no destiny.
I am your silent companion, the witness of life.  I am what moves life
and all destinies flow through me.

Fear me not. I have no appeal in your life source, I only take what is
mine and it lies in your self-importance.  Man has lived a life where
his life source is imprisoned within his self-importance.  So when I
come to claim what is mine, I also assert his life source.

Die every night, and let the memories of yours also die in the
darkness when the moon only stands alone in its solitude.  Every
morning, greet me and live only in the present for the next minute may
not come.  Leave the worries behind as tomorrow has yet to exist.  So
when I come to claim what is mine, I shall skip the door of yours as
no self-importance lingers.  Therefore, your life source shall remain
for you to go on into eternity.”

[non dormis]

When people hear "live like you're dying", they assume it's to go all out in life. To live like there's no tomorrow, give everyone a hug, eat anything, sleep with hookers, be Free and be happy.

seems like you read the wrong memo on this one.
not surprised though. LOL.

[moonangel]

If you lived the life you wanted (built your family, your business/career, grew spiritually, lived the life you envisioned for yourself, etc.), then when you are dying, you would accept your demise without any regrets.  That's what it means to live like you are dying.

The way you described it, isn't realistic.  It's very negative and depressing.  Who goes out and destroys their soul before they weaken to nothing?