Death to a 23 year old. No one is prepared to hear that tragic of news especially when they are so young. But sure enough, a good friend of mine got the call just the other day. Her son’s buddy died in an accident. Heartbreaking. I lost my best friend when I was 18. He had just gotten married and had a 1 month old baby. Ripped my heart out. Made a deep and profound impact on my life that I still feel 40 years later.
What happened to me that resonates to this day? Why do I remember that scene so vividly? I loved him, I miss him, and will never forget him. I remember waking up in the middle of the night with my pillow soaked from crying in my sleep. I remember not being able to breathe at times because of the finality of it all. He is dead. Words I have not spoken in decades. Life is fragile and death proves it, every day.
Over the years, death has become very familiar to me. The older I get the more I see it, experience it. I have buried my father, brother in law, mentor, relatives, associates, and some really good friends. For me, death is the great equalizer. It puts everything in perspective. I see the value of everything when death is present”¦and now, I can see the value when it isn’t present. Death has taught me gratitude.
When coaching for businesses I bring this richness of life and death to the party in the form of empathy. People connect to me when they know I can understand their feelings. When coaching a business I can feel what is present. Death is final, however, being alive can be just as impactful”¦if you choose it every moment. I implore you, choose to bring life to your business.