Sociologist Anthony Compolo tells of a study in which 50 people, over the age of 95 were asked one question . . . "If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?"
Three themes quickly emerged:
1) Reflect more
2) Risk more
3) Do more things that would live on after I die
Let's take a quick look at each of these areas:
Reflect more: Here's a starting place for you. I am going to warn you up front, that this exercise may be difficult and emotionally challenging. I will also promise you that it will get you back on track with purpose and direction!
Risk more: Les Brown tells us to "Leap and grow your wings on the way down"
Towards the end of George Bernhard Shaw's life, he was asked if he could be born again, and come back as anyone throughout history, who would he choose. Without blinking an eye, he responded "I would like to be born as the man I never was"
Perhaps today is the day we celebrate the birth of the person we never were? Is there one action we could take, right here, right now to welcome that new born into our lives?
Do more things that would live on after I die: There are a lot of ways to attack this one. This could be anything from building your personal wealth so it can be left to your family or favorite charity to something as simple as encouragement.
Can encouragement live on after we die?
There is a story about two famous authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S Lewis and how the two authors would encourage each other. There are many who believe that had they not encouraged each other the world may not have The Lord of The Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia!
I once knew someone, who saw a light in someone, who hadn't yet seen it in themself. I hope you will take a moment to read about this special person because he certainly did some things that lived on after he died.
To make a long story short (Probably too late for that) I suspect you aren't 95 years old and you still have many years ahead of you.
Or
Perhaps we aren't on the 95 year plan!
I will leave you with one of my favorite scenes from the movie Dead Poets Society. I believe this
all comes down to the two words that you will hear repeated several times in this scene!
To your best day ever and a life that is nothing short of extraordinary!
Please send this along to a friend!
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You've done it again Castain!
ReplyDeleteI believe Covey summed it up best in his "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" book when he wrote, "Begin with the end in mind." Taking time to reflect on the desired final outcome is an effective strategy if you're planning your life, a family vacation or a project at work.
@ Ken Knickerbocker. Thank you Ken!
ReplyDeleteCovey certainly nailed that one. There is an exercise he offers that will really depress the hell out of you, but almost mandatory. Its the one where he has us begin with our own end in mind and can be found by going back into this blog post and clicking on the link called "starting place for you" under the paragraph on reflecting more.
Thanks again Ken!
Paul, I've done the exercise many times since first reading 7 Habits back in the the early 90's. I recommend it to anyone looking to measure their progress along life's path.
ReplyDeleteI recently read the recent book "Five Things You Must Do Before You Die". It's well-written, and also offers lessons in life-long "rocking chair" backwards planning, as advised by seniors.
ReplyDelete@anonymous: Sounds like I have some reading to do. Thanks for the sharing that resource!
ReplyDelete