Tough week. Last Friday my gym buddy, Bob, collapsed and was taken to the hospital. Our context is the gym, so I didn’t hear anything until I went back on Monday. Bob passed away, a stroke. The last conversation we had, he was laughing and bragging, because he’d just dropped another pants size. He was going shopping.
I saw Bob 3 or 4 days a week for the past year. He kept the same hours as I did, and we had the same sense of humor. (humor being essential to effective workouts) We’d look at each other and laugh when the really fit, scantily clad woman let out her rebel yell, dropping her weights after each set, letting them crash down to the floor. We stayed on the lookout for the tan cowboy; he’s in good shape and we couldn’t figure it out ’cause all he does at the gym is talk to people women who were working out. Bob was part of my landscape.
I still don’t know why it hit me so hard, finding out that he died. It did, though, and I’ve spent time thinking about what good can come out of it. Bob left the planet happy; he was reaching his goals; he was having fun. I want that to happen for me, too. And for my clients, and for anyone within listening distance. So wake up!
Get rid of the “woulda, coulda, shoulda or if only”s in your life. You can’t change the past, clean up anything that stays on your mind, and be present. Figure out who you want to be in this life and move forward in those shoes.
This is a complete cliche, I know, but worthy of the moment. A thank-you note to Bob. Stay aware of your intent to be who you want to be every single day, to enjoy the time you have, and you’re far more likely to make it happen. Pay attention! If you find yourself waiting until the conditions are perfect, because when that happens you’ll be happy- cut it out. Life has a way of happening to you in the meantime.
