So, here’s the scene: I’m standing in my warehouse at work and my cell phone starts to buzz – alerting me I’m getting a call. I look down at the screen and see it’s a dear friend. Immediately, I’m suspicious as to why I’m getting a call now – from her. A few moments later, I check the voice message, it states:

“Chris, it’s so and so, and I have some awful news to tell you. There’s been a tragedy in the family so please call me.”

For a moment, I consider what the tragedy might be. I think “Did her grandfather pass?” “Did something happen to her mom?” “Did something happen to her dog?” Then, without hesitation, I call her back to offer support and to see what I can do.

Now, have you ever been SOOOOO blindsided by what you think someone is going to tell you and what they actually tell you? Well, if you have, then you know where this is going.

After answering my call, my dear friend proceeds to tell me she found her sister dead in her home this morning! This sister, was also like a sister to me for over 20yrs! My head went deaf for a moment as though someone bashed my skull in with a wrecking ball. I had to ask repeatedly if I heard correctly. She assured me I did hear correctly. I was COMPLETELY speechless! 34 years old, a single mother of a wonderful four year old boy, and she was gone in an instant.

I share this with you because it’s one of those moments in your life when everything makes absolutely no sense at all, but at the same time, becomes crystal clear. Ever had one of those moments?

Well, I tried and tried to understand how this could happen to such a wonderful, generous, and positive lady. WHYY????????? My brain screamed and screamed all the way home from work. Finally, I went back to one of my core principles:

But what reason could I find for this unexplainable devastation? How could I find a way to mend my heart and my mind? I HAD to find a reason – a reason to share with the immediate family, and now with you. Want to know the reason?

Actually, I believe there are several. And, I’m sure you’ll be able to apply them to your life when you’re faced with a similar situation – and trust me – you will.

REASONS:

1. To bring family and friends closer together – sooner rather than later
2. To remind us that life, today and tomorrow, are NOT guaranteed
3. To slap us in the face about the importance of taking care of our body as well as our mind
4. To perhaps change someone’s way of life to become meaningful when they’ve been going down a selfish and destructive road recently
5. To provide the gift of parenthood to someone who otherwise might not have had that chance
6. To consider “Living Celebrations” to bring people together rather than funerals (more on this coming very SOON!)
7. To show us that all the negativity in the world, the crap we have ZERO control over, is not worth wasting a single moment on. If it’s gonna happen – it’s gonna happen
8. To live life without regrets
9. To do work that you love rather than work you hate
10. To live in the moment rather than the past or even the future really
11. To always say “I love you” every time you leave
12. To check in with your family and friends a lot more often than we do

I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I know it’s a cliché but I TRULY believe we’re spiritual beings having a human existence. So, if that’s true, then, when the vehicle (the body) dies, the soul and spirit of the person DOESN’T! They live forever in our hearts and memories. That’s why it’s important to spend lots of time together making lots of awesome memories right?

Ultimately, the best we can do when we lose someone dear to us is continue living in THEIR honor. What would they do if they had more time? Would they sulk and feel sorry for themselves or LIVE every dammed moment like it was spring break?

For me, I decided to honor her life with the following:

1. Take even more care for my overall health
2. Always try and look at what’s possible and positive rather than what isn’t
3. To do less talking and more DOING!
4. Spread this experience to all who will listen!

I have two goals in life: 1) Live without ANY regrets 2) Stay the heck away from the inside of a hospital as a patient! Not too lofty would you say?

So, with this tragedy, I want YOU to forward this to as many people as you think would appreciate it. Then, I want you to make a list, a bucket list if you will, and write down everything you want to accomplish/experience in this life. After that, for every single day forward, do SOMETHING to get just one step or more closer to making them happen! Heck, if ya like, email me your list and together we’ll make them happen!

Well, I could go on and on about this, but lastly, I want to thank you for the bottom of my heart for being a part of my life. I know we may never talk in person, but please know that your kind replies let me know this is what I’m meant to do with my time here. Shoot, with all this business, I just might throw an “Achieve Your Dreams” party and try and meet everyone in person! Why not right?

So, until next time, PLEASE PLEASE, LIVE Life – do NOT just merely exist in it! Deal?

All my best,

Christopher