I Love My Life
On July 11th, 2004, one of my best friends and college roommate of three years was killed in a car accident. It happened one month after we graduated from college and it was the first time in my life that I experienced the unexpected death of someone so close to me. As time has gone by, the sting of the tragedy has softened, which brings me relief, but also a sense of sadness. Matthew Thomas Meyer aka “Guns” (his biceps were huge and he made no apologies about spending most of his time in the gym on arms) left an incredible impression on my life and the lives of many others for his quick wit, his unwavering loyalty and his incredible zest for life. He would often pause in the middle of an awesome moment, throw his hands in the air and yell, “I love my life”.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about Guns and appreciate the fact that I’ve enjoyed 16 additional years of life that he hasn’t been able to. I think it’s part of the reason I pack so much into every day. It also reminds me to appreciate the things in life that I have, instead of being frustrated about the things I do not have. To not take anything for granted and to make the most of my time here on earth, because of the realization that it can be gone at any time. Rob Thomas recently released a song which included the lyrics, “I’m not afraid of getting older, I’m one less day from dying young.” We all know we are going to die, but very few of us will be given notice of when that will happen.
Sometimes in life, something has to be taken away from us to truly appreciate it. Those words could not be more relevant for our current situation. Six months ago it would have been unfathomable to think we might not be able to attend sporting events, concerts, and gatherings with large groups for life’s celebrations. That our health could be jeopardized simply by being in a crowded space. That we would need to make sure to remember a mask before leaving the house. And that our kids would be sent home to be taught by their parents.
COVID-19 has certainly created disruption to our daily lives and for all the inconvenience it has caused, it should also make us appreciate what we do have. If we take time to reflect on appreciating what we have, both big and small, we can shift our perspective and increase our ability to get through these challenging times. Maybe it’s your health that is still in tact or your relationships that have gotten stronger. Maybe it’s the fact you have a job or it could be the additional time you’ve gotten to spend with your children. It might be the meal you are still able to get from your favorite restaurant or just the fact that there is food on your table. It might simply be a moment that makes you smile and say to yourself, “I love my life.”
*Each week I share a leadership message with our team and we are honored to share it with you via MIBE Tribe. MIBE (the acronym for Make It Better Everyday) Tribe delivers education on heart leadership and intentional culture building for the hospitality industry.
