There is the stage of the performing arts
where you sing, dance, tell jokes, recite poems,
share intellectual wisdom and ideas
in a full spotlight.

You may or may not be able to see
the audience in front of your stage,
each member playing the character of her life—
smiling, laughing, crying,
feeling surprised, amazed, or intrigued—
and taking everything you say,
everything you do,
home,
to empower or challenge that character.

Then there is the stage
where numbers really matter
for you and your loved ones
because you are battling for your life.
You are praying the number will be as small as possible.
Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, what? Stage IV
Oh, guess what, you luck out, because you are stage IV A.
So, your life is saved from cancer because God, or some genius out there,
decided to put an A, B, or C after the IV.

In Indian culture,
every 25 years is a stage.
So Stage IV is the last stage of your life.
Live it fully, love wholeheartedly, smile beautifully,
sing, dance, tell jokes, recite poems,
share intellectual wisdom and ideas.

You don’t need a full spotlight
because you are playing the character of your life.
Enjoy it while it lasts,
take a deep breath.
Suck it all in.

Stage IV can be just as beautiful as Stage I,
or any stage of your life,
professional or personal.
In or out of the spotlight
with or without an audience.