It is not so common to have the knowledge that you are going to die along with the presence of mind and the physical strength to direct what will happen in your last days. John McCain has all three, and where he's directing his energy is inspiring. He has chosen to make his death very public rather than retreating quietly with his family for his last days. And in having the courage to do that, he gains the eyes and ears of the nation to make a final stand for his principles. 

In what are McCain's very last days--he is not sure whether he will live long enough to see the release of his memoir, The Restless Wave, on May 22--he is standing by his very personal principle against the use of torture. Last week he called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Gina Haspel for CIA Director due to her refusal to condemn torture. Haspel has now publicly stated  that the CIA's use of torture during 9/11 interrogations was a mistake that "ultimately did damage to our officers and our standing in the world."

McCain is also standing behind his unwavering principle of honor. He has planned his own funeral, asking both Barack Obama and George W. Bush to give eulogies. He has asked that Mike Pence represent the White House, and that President Trump not attend. 

It's easy to focus on building wealth and status while we are alive and healthy. Yet when life is coming to an end, the dying are the first to tell us that those are the last things that matter. And while some use their last days to live life to its fullest, also incredibly inspiring, John McCain is using his last days to take a stand for what he believes in.