Pondering Loss
As we prepare our house for sale, we're re-painting every room. I dislike painting, but due to our son's allergies, we have no choice but to do it ourselves. At least it gives me time to reflect and contemplate.
I've needed that time because I've been impacted lately by the loss of several folks whom I greatly admired and who were much too young to go.
- First, my cousin, Darlene, who had a rare form of cancer that was so aggressive that it took her within months, despite all the best treatments that her doctors could muster. It's been hard; Darlene was my age, and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. She was such a kind and loving person, and lived healthfully, avoiding things that typically lead to cancer. It didn't make sense, and this has been so hard on our family.
- Then, a fellow speaker, Jeffrey Mayer, whom I much admired, passed away a few weeks ago. Jeff was the author of Time Management for Dummies and many other books. He was a gentle and generous man, and was a friend through the National Speakers Association, where we've also lost several other bright young colleagues in the past few years.
- Last week, Internet marketing legend, Corey Rudl, was killed in a tragic racing accident. I never met Corey, but many of us who have long been involved with the Internet have been touched by him in some way. He was young - just 34 - and had recently married. One day he was making millions on the Internet, and the next day he was gone. Corey lived life to the fullest.
My heart goes out to all of these families. The loss of just one person touches so many. And in some cases, a loss touches us all. As I write this, the world is watching as we slowly learn details about the disappearance in Aruba of an Alabama teenager, Natalee Holloway. She had recently graduated from Mountain Brook High School, in Birmingham, where I grew up, and was on a trip with over 100 other new graduates. We don't know her family, but many of our friends' children attended the same high school, and I'll be in that area for a speaking engagement in a few weeks.
Why do I mention all of these losses, and what do they have to do with reflecting and contemplating? Each loss reminds us of the preciousness of life, and also of the perishability of it.
It seemed that my own time had come two years ago during my close call in emergency heart surgery, but I'm here as your poster child for what not to do. Stress and overweight nearly got me. Nearly everyone in technology is overwhelmed by stress; you can learn more about what happened, and how to avoid having it happen to you, by downloading this free e-book.
Here's what I'm pondering:
- How can I live life to the fullest (with appropriate caution, of course) so that if it's my last day, it will have been my best day?
- What have I dreamed, but haven't yet done?
- What would I do today if I knew that it was my last chance, and that I couldn't fail?
- What do I want my legacy to be?
- What can I do special for someone today?
- How should I ensure that my loved ones are taken care of?
- Have I told them today "I love you"?
What are your answers to these questions? What do you need to do to ensure that you will still be around for your loved ones?
Well, I'm off to paint another wall, and to ponder this.
As the Health & Productivity Revitalizer® and the author of "
A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life",
Mellanie True Hills revitalizes the health and productivity of people and organizations. Executives say "Mellanie delivers solid business results", and audiences say, "You changed my life."
Mellanie works with
top organizations. Let her equip your employees with tools, techniques, and attitudes to deal with change, overcome adversity, and achieve success, fulfillment, and health, and equip your organization with a culture that increases productivity.
Her programs, including the popular "Take Control: Stay Healthy and Productive in a Speed-Obsessed World", are filled with stories from her many years in the corporate trenches.
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