DYING BEFORE YOU DIE
2 IDEAS FROM ME
The phrase “dying before you die” may seem paradoxical, but it encapsulates the idea of fully embracing life’s experiences in a non self-centered way. To truly live, one must face fears, take risks, and pursue passions without hesitation. Embracing personal growth motivated by love, fostering deep connections, and immersing oneself in diverse cultures are ways to die to the old self-centered default mode of existence and be reborn into a more enriched existence. By confronting challenges head-on, savoring every moment, and cultivating a mindful approach to life, individuals can metaphorically die to the complacency of self-centered reactivity and create a life that resonates with purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.
Life-long learning, coupled with the mindful practice of our signature strengths, is the dynamic catalyst propelling us towards the realization of our highest values and vision. Continual learning opens doors to new perspectives, enriching our understanding of the world. Identifying and leveraging our unique strengths empowers us to navigate challenges authentically. By aligning these strengths with our deepest values and envisioning the life we aspire to lead, we craft a purposeful existence. This intentional synergy fosters personal growth, resilience, and a pathway to living a life that authentically reflects our core values, resonating with meaning and fulfillment.
2 QUOTES FROM SAGES
“There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes “What the hell is water?” …the most obvious, important realities are often the ones that are hardest to see and talk about. The capital-T Truth is about life BEFOFE death. It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over: This is water. It is unimaginably hard to do this, to stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out. Which means yet another grand cliché turns out to be true: your education really IS the job of a lifetime. And it commences: now. ”—David Foster Wallace (This is Water – Kenyon College Commencement Speech 2005).
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”—Jimmy Dean
1 QUESTION FOR YOU TO EXPLORE
Reflecting on the past week, what percentage of the time were you authentically living your core values with meaning and fulfillment?
Namaste,
Duane Nelson
