On his deathbed Socrates instructed his students to practice dying as the highest form of wisdom. In many cultures around the world death is woven into the very fabric of life and as a result of this view the appearance of death comes as no surprise. When one is prepared one can plan and act accordingly without fear running the show. Here in the West the contemplation of the reality of our own impermanence is not always encouraged and yet taking the time to explore what is the one great certainty in all of our lives can be of great benefit to ourselves, our families and our communities. A Year to Live is an experiment in living fully and mindfully for one year. It is a celebration, an art, a life review, an act of courage and a practice that opens and deepens the heart, so that whenever our final hour arrives, we will not feel that we could have done more to be prepared to embrace it.