Sunday, July 15, 2018
It’s Sunday morning, and so begins a new Chapter in my Book of Life. Chapter 2,714. Page 18,889.
This is going to be a big week. I should complete one or two items on The List. On the personal front, this week will include both fun and high-adventure. Work will be a challenge too. These days work is non-stop because I spend my days thinking about and implementing solutions for the “present” media business, and my nights are spent in deep thought contemplating what’s next. Lots of change happening. Enough about that. Let’s talk about something more important.
If there is one constant I have had in my life since July 23, 2012, it is that the more I fear something, the more certain I am that I must do it. You see, a person I very much respected died on July 22, 2012. His death was part of my wake up call. Before that day, I was destined to a life that would have most likely ended with a stress and weight-induced heart attack which I would have most likely had at work, in my office, at my desk, wearing khakis. That’s pathetic and it was not the “death story” I wanted my children to remember me by.
A few weeks ago, I had just finished up a flight lesson. My flight instructor and I were walking away from the plane. It was a rough day for me in the cockpit. Lots of mistakes. As we walked, I told my flight instructor, Aaron, that I was genuinely concerned for his safety and other flyers when I am at the wheel of the plane. If I remember correctly, Aaron kind of smiled and we kept walking. I’m not sure why, but I then felt compelled to tell him that even though flying scares me, he should know that I am not afraid to die. A statement like that can usually kill a conversation. It did.
You see, I would rather fail miserably by being in over my head than live a life of safety inside of my comfort zone. On July 23, 2012, I realized that death awaits us all; the only question to be answered is when and how. One thing I know for sure is that my “how” is NOT going to be at my office desk wearing khakis. As the famous line in the movie Shashank Redemption goes, you can either get busy living or get busy dying.
When people ask me questions about why I do some of the “crazy” adventures and things I do, I usually reply with, “because I’m curious.” However, what I really want to say is why aren’t YOU doing some of these things. Folks, you’ve only got one life so you might as well do it all. Why waste your life by never taking a risk or testing your limits. Sure, you could fail, but so what. You could also win too. There is so much satisfaction that comes from finding a way past your fears.
Failures. I’ve had some big, scratch that, huge failures in my life. I’ve got scars to prove it. I was writing something the other day and asked myself this question; what could I have done if only I would have had a little less adversity in my life? Well, the answer to that is I would have probably done nothing at all. I once read a quote that said; The walls are not there to keep you out. They are there so you can prove how bad you want it. Adversity and failure can be used as a catalyst to push you forward. When responded to properly, adversity strengthens us both mentally and physically. Don’t run from adversity. Seek it out.
For me, it’s a daily fight not to revert back to the old Chris. Life does have a way of beating you down. I know this and I anticipate it. That’s why I have a note beside my bed that says, Today I Win. That is my daily mission statement and serves as a reminder that although I am not totally in control of what happens, I am 100% in control of my response. NOBODY controls my response. On a personal note, I can’t stomach people who have a perpetual victim mentality. Don’t get me wrong because I have my moments too. So, when bad circumstances come my way do I throw myself a little pity party? Sometimes I do. But then I remind myself to quit acting like a little bitch, get my shit together and attack the problem because people are counting on me. And by people, I mean myself too.
I’ll end with the beginning. I already know that this week is going to be overwhelming mentally and physically. What makes it more worrisome is that I will be putting my daughter and my niece into harms way too. Together we will all grow. Although it may seem like I wrote these words for you, I wrote them for myself too because I know I have my limits and this week might be the point where I finally find out exactly how far is too far. We’ll see.
This week, I Will Win. We Will win. I hope you do too.
Find Your Adventure and always remember to Live Your Life.