Today my dad had quadruple bypass surgery.
All indications are that things went well and he’s recovering according to schedule. I believe that there’s a lesson to be learned in any situation – especially difficult ones like when your dad has major, open-heart surgery.
In fact, I believe the only way to live life is to reshape the bad stuff into something that empowers us.
The alternative is scary and dark and toxic. That is “well, shit, this happened to me. Why does it always happen to me? I can’t believe it. I hate it. Here’s the problem in detail…” That’s an endless cycle of gross toxicity. Don’t go there.
When I come across bad stuff whether it’s business or personal, I try to identify a lesson. And, how I can apply that lesson to help myself and others.
Sometimes it’s not easy. But it’s necessary.
So, what’s the lesson I’m taking away from it?
It’s a reminder that life is precious.
I’m going to die.
You’re going to die.
Not to be morbid but that’s just a fact. It’s a fate we both share.
Sometimes I get caught up in the day-to-day stuff and forget to appreciate what I have in my life. Sometimes I forget to enjoy the journey because I’m so focused on the destination.
Have you been guilty of that too?
This is a reminder to enjoy the journey.
It’s a reminder to smile more on the journey. To laugh more. To be emotionally present more. To communicate more. To give more and to love more.
And for me personally it’s also a reminder to continue to live MY life. Not someone else’s life. I refuse, absolutely refuse, to live a life dictated by what happens to me. I will continue to design my life – not have circumstance design me.
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