If the World Ends...

I'm not typically apocalyptic. And I don't really believe the world will end on December 21, 2012. But it's interesting to think about what I would do, or not do, if it were true.

I would not, for instance, spend another second cleaning out or cleaning up too much. After all, who cares? And all my junk is a great archeological dig for some future species, if there is one.

Suddenly, too, all those meetings to "get things done" by the end of the year seem kind of silly. I mean, what's the struggle for? If the world ends, we won't need to eradicate GMOs or stop chronic diseases. Nature (or whoever/whatever is behind the world's end) would take care of that for us.

Exercise? Maybe for fun. Maybe just to appreciate life and be out in the beauty of nature. But I wouldn't force it on myself.

Food? I've had enough great meals for a lifetime. I'd eat well, but stuffing myself would not be high on my list.

Stocking up? Why bother if the world is truly ending. In my thought exercise, it would be useless to try and survive.

So what's left?

The only thing that matters.

Being with those people I love the most. Enjoying their company and the pleasure of their touch. Smiles. Laughter. Sharing sorrows. Sharing joys.

Funny, but I don't feel afraid of the world ending--as long as we all go together! I've made my peace with the spirit world and what it means for me (of course, I could change my mind, and I am pretending that there would be no long drawn-out suffering involved...).

Love. That's all.

Anyway, I hope it doesn't end. And if it doesn't, I hope I remember that the most important thing is love.

For more from Maria Rodale, go to www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com