I feel like there are way too few times in our lives where we get to actually realize how short and important life is.
Yesterday I was in the exact spot the Boston Marathon bomb went off, less than 60 minutes earlier. I was just hanging out. I’d never been to the Boston Marathon before, and figured I should check it out (since I was in town). I snapped some pics for my Instagram/Twitter/Facebook accounts, walked around for a few minutes, and that was all I needed. I wasn’t running the race, and I didn’t personally know anyone who was running. I’m the kind of spectator that thinks that if I show up for a race, I should be doing the race. Otherwise I’d rather be doing something else. Little did I know, that philosophy actually could have saved my life…
We go through life thinking that we have control. Because we feel like we have control. From the moment we wake up in the morning, we control what we eat for breakfast, if we go to work on-time (or don’t go at all), how we get to work, who we’re going to spend time with (family, friends, relationships, etc), if we go to the gym or sit on the couch, if we take risks or go with the flow.
At the time of the bombing I was back in the safety of my friends home. And at the time it didn’t really dawn on me how close this could have been to a life changing event. I was still thinking about how I was going to make it to my CrossFit workout at the local gym. I was just continuing on with my routine.
Last night I was laying in bed, and I was thinking about the people that were there during the bombing. The people that lost their lives, or endured life changing injuries. I kept thinking how pissed I would be if that’s how I actually lost my life, or if that act of violence caused me a life changing injury. Can you imagine losing an arm, or a leg from the destruction that someone else wanted to cause? Not by mistake, but on purpose! I can, and have imagined it in my mind several times since the event. It’s horrible.
But let’s flip this back around…
These are the reminders. Dare I say… the blessings that the rest of us are given (if we choose to accept them).
We get reminded…
If we want to make a change, we need to do so now! There’s no time to wait.
If we want to travel to some crazy place in the world, we need to put a plan in place to do so asap!
If we want to climb a mountain, the time is now!
If we want to start a business, or invent a product, do it now!
If we have a relationship we want to build, don’t wait until someday. Someday may never come. Get moving!
We get this slap in the face, this sinking feeling in the gut, this spark that motivates us for change, for action!
You can let life take you where it may, or you can grab the bull by the horns and freaking drive your life where you want it to go. Use this event as a motivator to start driving!
You never know when you’re going to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but you do control what you do with your time now. Stop going with the flow! Stop saying “someday!” Stop waiting for your big break! MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!!! And if you reach adversity, pivot, and keep moving forward. Never stop, never settle!
I was less than 60 minutes from having my life changed forever. And I’m going to take that as a reminder to keep living my life to the fullest, without any exception. It doesn’t matter how many times I get knocked down, fail, or am told “you can’t do it.” I’m going to make it happen, spend time with people I love, doing the things that I love, and not settle for anything less. Make a difference!
I encourage you to put yourself in similar shoes. Get inspired, get scared, get out there and do something! Make a difference! Live!
