I love competing. I love working hard. I love the commitment to excellence. I love trying to be my best. I might not get the best outcomes but I always will put in my best effort. So it’s always a massive struggle to balance professional and personal for me. This weekend I got another reminder of maintaining balance.
I'm not sure where I heard it, but I believe this thought provides excellent insight into what is truly valuable. Suppose someone offered you a million dollars today, but you only had one year to live. Would you accept it? For most people, the answer would be no. What if the offer was $10 million, $100 million, or even $1 billion? I would guess that most people would still decline, regardless of the amount offered. Our lives are priceless, and no amount of money can make up for the finite amount of time we have.
I understand that this is a hypothetical scenario, so let's not overthink it. No, you cannot leave the money behind for your loved ones. No, you are not facing a terminal illness in this situation. The purpose of this exercise is to encourage self-reflection on what truly matters in life.
I felt compelled to share my thoughts on this topic after hearing about a recent car accident involving a close friend of someone dear to me. The news deeply affected them and overwhelmed them with many emotions, including regret, sadness, and helplessness. The suddenness of the situation caused their mind to wander and contemplate what life would be like if their friend hadn't been fortunate enough to escape with their life and have a prognosis for a full recovery. It's astonishing how a single text message can trigger such intense thoughts and feelings. Our minds can't help but run through countless scenarios in response to such news.
The experience of our emotions and thoughts in response to these situations is a poignant reminder of how fragile and precious life is. It awakens our awareness of the things we often take for granted. We realize that we overlook the profound importance of our relationships, the moments we share, and the experiences that shape us.
“What if I was a better friend/child/spouse/sibling?”
“I should have called/visited/checked in on them more often.”
“What if I couldn't ever say hello to them again?”
It's a funny thing about life; we don't appreciate the things we should until we can't have them anymore. We find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of everyday life, focusing on material pursuits and momentary distractions, but fail to cherish the true essence of living.
Life has an uncanny way of shaking us awake from this slumber. I remember a turning point when I thought I would lose my mother in 2020. During the pandemic's peak, amidst solitude and despair, I made a promise to myself.
"If we come out the other side of this, I will focus on what truly is important."
I can't deny that I still sometimes forget that promise to myself. In the fast-paced world, we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of what truly matters. But life has a way of reminding us, whether through a moment of crisis or a gentle whisper in our hearts.
So let's take a moment right now to pause and reflect on what matters most in our lives. It's probably not the trivial stressors that consume us daily. Instead, it's the laughter of our loved ones, the warmth of their embrace, and the simple joys that bring us the most profound happiness.
Let's cherish the present and savor every moment with those we hold dear. Let's strive to be more compassionate, understanding, and forgiving. Let's try to reach out, connect, and be fully present for others.
And let's never forget that life is a gift, and every second is an opportunity to embrace it fully. As we navigate our paths, let's remember the lesson from this hypothetical scenario: no amount of money can buy the time we have or the love we share. So let's invest our hearts in what truly matters, for in the end, that will define our lives richness.
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