Tributum Newsletter #26
Hello
This month marked the 11th year anniversary since I flatlined from a near drowning in the 2010 Corporate Iron Man swimming leg. Fortunately, I triggered a heartbeat when all seemed lost and was eventually resuscitated. Waking up from an induced coma the next day and spending 3 more in hospital gave me a lot of time to think (and cry), evaluate my life and decide what changes to make. Its still work in progress even after all this time, but here are some thoughts.
There are many people who love you, and even more that care. Appreciate that fact and show them you know. Love and care back. Life is fleeting, here now and gone tomorrow. Do it while you can.
Do what you know, especially if it is the right thing. I failed because I did not do what I knew. I knew I was swallowing water and getting weak, I knew I should ask someone to pull me out the water. But I didn’t, and I was lucky. By all means learn something new, but first do what you know. And ask for help when you don’t, it is not a sign of weakness.
Keep breathing. By staying alive you increase the chances of achieving your goals and making those changes. Do what you can to live longer – exercise, follow a balanced diet and get enough sleep – rest is a weapon. Unless you keep breathing everything else is useless.
Life is not fair. It is just the way it is. You cannot change that. Deal with it, move on. It starts with what Warren Buffet calls the ovarian lottery. The fact your particular sperm cell won the race is the first lesson in unfairness – yours won, others lost. Then comes factors such as the era you were born, where you were born and who you are born to. All these things will play a massive role in your life and happens even before you are born. What you do control is your attitude toward your life, what actions you take and who you hold accountable for the outcome. Make the most of the cards that you are dealt with. Don’t blame others.
Decide what success is for you. Don’t chase the views of others. If you do, you will please no-one, least of all yourself. Your idea of success may change over time, and it probably should. At single and 20 success may be chasing that first million, but at 35 with kids it may just be not raising a serial killer. Your choice, make it, do it. But consider this – whatever your idea of success, make sure it includes those that love you. And that you love back. The journey alone is for sure the longest one, regardless of the distance. Now put in the work. Until next time – keep breathing!