Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Ever since I was a kid I always looked forward to turkey day simply because it was filled with delicious food and football. This year is a bit different because my favorite holiday has taken a little bit more significance. In the beginning of the month my father became very ill. He was rushed to the hospital and before we could have any news from the doctors I feared the worst. I broke down and began to feel a tidal wave of emotion. After about a week in the hospital my father finally came home. To say the least I was grateful beyond explanation.
Having lunch with my father super happy he’s back home
One of the nights in the hospital when I was with him alone I sat there recalling all the awesome times I had with my hero. All the jokes we made over the years , the conversations we had, the little jewels of wisdom he bestowed upon me. But the one thing that was right in my face for the first time in my life was that there is no escaping from the harsh reality of mortality. So often we hear about people talking in a sort of pseudo philosophical sense about the finite nature of life. How you have to seize the moment because you never know when it can be your last. Hell, I have even spewed some of that borderline cliché motivational rhetoric here on this very site. But what that night really taught me was that it CAN be taken away at any moment. That life is going to come to an end. But the sadness gave way to a mixture of tears and optimism. I felt optimistic because my father always preaches the ‘you are capable’ mantra. To always believe in yourself and know that good times will come. The trials and tribulations we face today are only going to make us better men and women tomorrow. A diamond cannot be created without great pressure.
I began to internalize something that I have always held close to my heart. The idea that the finality of life should not be fear inducing and crippling but it should be liberating and inspiring. When I came face to face with this inescapable terror I began to evaluate all the bullshit fears and “reasons” I had for not doing what I wanted to do.
In order to self-actualize we must first come to grips with the liberating and pretty scary idea that we are the ones that decide what is going to happen to us. The idea of freedom and being in charge sounds good but it’s hard and unapologetic. You have to make the decisions and YOU have to live with the consequences. Sometimes those consequences are going to be bad and you are left with only yourself to blame. That might sound bad but in the long run it’s good. It forces you to grow up, be decisive and as a result become self-assured and ready for the world. Do not be afraid to take risk and make mistakes. Like my Dad always says “You’re Powerful.” Don’t waste any more time. Become the person you want to be and be thankful for all the love you have received from family and friends. Have a very Happy Thanksigving, ooops I meant ThanksGAINING. Happy Liftin’
Praise Odin! #BePowerful
