As I get older and I struggle with my body “failing” in different ways, it brings me deep perspective about what REALLY MATTERS.
I’m one of those weird people whose been “obsessed” with death ever since I can remember. In fact when I was young people would wonder why I would entertain such “dark topics”, or read such “dark books”.
But the reality is that I was in search of understanding.
Through a lifetime of study of human nature I’ve come to understand a fundamental principle that we all seem to forget.
MOST THINGS WE STRESS ABOUT ARE TEMPORARY.
You name it...
Most things bring lots of comfort to us... yet they don’t REALLY MATTER.
When we die... those things will have been as irrelevant as a garage full of garbage.
We use them to comfort us, to distract us, and to produce a momentary dopamine release in our brain.
But it’s short-lived.
Mostly...
How many things, degrees, money, accolades, prizes, cars, or promotions would you need to accumulate to finally tell yourself...
Ah! I am enough!
How many?
Because funny thing, I realized that NONE of those things helped me get there.
17 years in higher ed and 4 degrees...wasn’t enough...more certifications and knowledge...
More experience... more money?
I finally realized that NONE OF THOSE THINGS MATTERED.
I JUST NEEDED TO DECIDE!
I AM ENOUGH.
I AM MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
I don’t need anyone to tell me, or validate me, or have more degrees or anything else...
It’s just simply an internal KNOWING...
An inner peace. No more striving to PROVE myself.
Instead I can do things because I’m passionate about sharing or supporting others.
And interestingly, when I’ve had those “brushes” with death... I am left invigorated...
Reminded and put on notice...
“Stop worrying about the bullshit!”
“Start focusing on WHAT MATTERS!”
SO WHAT MATTERS?
I won’t pretend to tell you what to focus on, or what should matter to you.
You will be the judge of that.
All I can say is that for me, what matters are “things” that are not really “things”...
They are TIMELESS...
When I remember these things it helps me to INVEST in the experiences that will provide or help me access these, rather than being guided by fear of failure.
Failure is part of the process and the experience. And it’s usually when we most grow. So perhaps that might be the most valuable of all.
So what IS REALLY IMPORTANT YOU? (Share with me below or email me.)
Wishing you an Amazing Holiday...appreciating what REALLY matters to you...
Self-love, Spirituality, Reflections, Lessons Learned, Success, Resolutions, Failure, Courage, Flow, Fear
2017-12-24
