When I was a little boy, my older sister used a crystal clear metaphor to illustrate what death was to her. She said: "Death is when you go to sleep, and you never wake up." For some reason that clicked with me almost instantly, and taught me about the frailty and impermanence of life.
It was one of the things that propelled me to do as much good as I can in my life because this existence can be gone in a flash. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, so you sure better live today. You have an opportunity to impact every person that you meet, and to me, that's the true legacy that you leave behind.
The "Serious" Kid
I suppose that's one of the reasons I was seen as a "serious" kid and older than my years. When I was 12, I dreaded turning 18, as that felt "old" to me, know what I mean? Five years was like a century, and people in their twenties or God forbid, thirties, were positively ancient.
There was a need to have an impact in the lives of others NOW. And I began to reach out to those neglected souls around me to let them know they were seen, respected, and loved.
I spoke to many people that everyone else shunned, having received the same treatment due to my childhood speech impediment. I knew acutely what it felt to be ostracized, so wasn't about to carry that behavior forward by doing the same to others.
"Who's that kid in the corner with no one to talk to?" I'd make a beeline right for him. Did a whole lot of swimming upstream and charting my own path. Excessive popularity was seen as a millstone around the necks of those that were slaves to the Siren songs tempting them closer to destruction.
Once this tainted gift was received, it now had to be kept, at all costs, even if that meant tearing good people down in order to maintain ones place in that corrupt system.
A Willingness To Learn
As a young teen, I'd go to the nearby park and have discussions with adults about all manner of serious subjects. The existence of God would come up frequently, and I'd argue that we were standing on proof that he was real.
The Earth, Moon, Sun and other stars didn't create themselves, I'd posit. The only way to generate something out of nothing is if a supreme being spoke it into existence.
Reaching down, I'd pick up a clump of soil and ask; "where'd this come from? Someone had to create the material the spewed out during the Big Bang and coalesced into the heavenly bodies that we can observe today.
Pretty meaty subjects for a kid, right? But all of it helped to broaden my horizons and made me a much better listener as well. And as I've always said: You can't learn if you aren't listening.
Positivity And Compassion In Action
So that's a little snapshot of what made me the person I am today. Each day is an adventure, starting with a desire to commit as many meaningful, thoughtful and pisitive acts as possible.
Knowing that each personal interaction between me and another person could be the last for either of us, drives actions fueled by the vital importance in making the most of the limited time we're each allotted here on Earth. I believe in free will, but I also believe in fate, destiny, and that we make our own luck.
This all combines into making life a rich soup which sustains me every single day. So go out there and make your mark in the world, leaving a trail of light to bring joy to those who need it.
Please check out my recent posts:
Image Credit: [1] @EverNoticeThat Created using Canva.