OPRAH: So what has being around
the dying taught you about living?
BJ: Mm. That's a great question, Oprah. One great lesson
is dying people are still living. You know, it's like
to realize it and see it as a part of life, and to separate
dying from being dead, dying is these final
moments of a life. And, therefore, are very potent.
Essential. Really, mm, concentrated part of life.
But it's part of life. That's the first lesson is, oh,
right, dying is part of the deal. And I am still living
when I'm dying. That's a really important lesson.
And you start realizing that what makes anything precious
except that it ends? So dying is what creates preciousness.
What gives us the impulse to make meaning.
Because it proves -- death proves life.
I heard that statement once and it makes sense to me.
You know you're alive because you're gonna die someday.
That's what proves you're alive. OPRAH: Mm-hmm.
BJ: So -- and another big thrust of this, Oprah,
is what you learn is time is short.
So the decisions you make are of consequence.
Delaying things that you love or want or seek.
Not calling grandma. Whatever it is. You can't --
you have no promise of tomorrow.
So live your life today. I mean, that's probably
the singular best lesson about dying is
to teach living. For me, anyway. OPRAH: Mm-hmm.