Beyond being stunned, a sudden tragedy like this can trigger many confusing thoughts. Kobe had smoothly transitioned into his post-basketball career and seemed to be on the verge of matching or surpassing his on-the-court success off the court. He appeared to be much more at peace after basketball, and the radiant joy on his face when he was with his daughters was evidence of a man who loved being a father. Such an abrupt end to an incredibly successful and happy life brings to mind the question: Why? Why them? Why so soon? Why now, when life was going so well and Kobe was doing so many good things? If Kobe can have so many accomplishments and do so many positive things and then have them all cut short by sudden death, what hope is there for every-day people like us?
Category: Regret
What to Do When Stuff Keeps Interrupting Your Goals
I had everything planned out. Creating a schedule was a regular part of my routine, and I planned my day down to the minute to make sure I achieved all my goals. I even built in some cushion between tasks to allow time for any delays or hiccups that might come up. What could go wrong? I was about halfway through my day, and suddenly I got a call from my wife.
The Price of a Dream
Big dreams require big sacrifices. The strength to make those sacrifices requires focus, clarity of purpose, and the willingness to swim upstream. The road to success can often be a lonely one. There will be times when you are up late or up early working alone while your friends or family hang out laughing and having a good time or sleep in late. There will be precious moments that conflict...
Of Dreams and Illusions: The Search for Happiness & Significance
Is what you want really what you want? Is your dream the destination, or the path to something else? What if you get or accomplish everything you are striving for, and then feel like nothing has changed? It’s amazing how sometimes a person can get everything they said they wanted and feel just as incomplete or empty as before they started.
Back to Good
I am slowly finding my way back to good. Back to outdoor adventures and exploration… Creating games with my imagination… Simple causes for celebration… I’m finding my way back to good. Back to family dinners with conversation… Dinner for two with no expectations… No laptops or work while on vacation… I’m finding my … Continue reading Back to Good
Attack of the Dream Killers
We’ve all had them. Their aim is true, and their timing is perfect. To say you haven’t had one is to say you haven’t dreamed. They can go by many names…
Coulda Woulda Shoulda
Much of my life has been spent playing it safe. However, right before I met my wife, I made a decision to step outside my comfort zone and live my life free of regrets. Things that I normally would not have done in a million years, I did. Had it not been for that change, my wife and I would not be together today. In order to get myself in a state where I actually had the desire to step outside my norm, I imagined what it would be like to reach the end of my days and reflect back on my life if I kept playing it safe. This exercise gave me the perspective and motivation to make a change. Regrets are typically the result of living life based on fears and the expectations of others as opposed to the results we truly want. Fortunately, even though we cannot change the past, we have the chance to change the present and future based on what we have learned. However, we must remember that eventually our time here will be up, so we shouldn't take tomorrow for granted. I wrote the poem Coulda Woulda Shoulda to express what it would be like to live a life of fear and eventually run out of time.
Poem: Regret
Regret Sometimes in my reflection I think, "Where did my promise go?" I'm miles and miles from measuring up To visions from long ago.