Life is Short
Five years ago today, my husband Sean and I woke up on an ordinary Wednesday. Back then, we took Wednesdays off as a mid-week break so we spent a lazy morning together clearing up some of the tension that had been building between us.
That afternoon, as we were preparing to leave the house we had just moved into (it was not yet handicap-accessible), Sean’s wheelchair tipped backward and he hit his head hard on the ground. I won’t go into the details on that, but I recount what happened here.
By the end of that day, after hours of agonizing waiting in the ER, a life flight, and emergency surgery, the doctors came out to tell me and our friends who had gathered that Sean didn’t make it through the surgery.
Everything changed from that day forward.
I’m writing today, not to send you a sad story, but instead to remind you that:
- Life is short. Do what you can with what you have today.
- A lot can happen in 5 years.
Life is Short
The purpose of your life isn’t to “be” a coach, a trader, a professional speaker, or whatever. The purpose of your life is all the stuff you experience on your way to becoming who (not what) you want to be. Sean was an incredible public speaker and impacted millions of people around the world through his talks and videos. That’s amazing. But I believe his purpose ran much deeper than his ability to inspire an audience. He worked to overcome his own insecurities so that he could teach by example. He worked to believe that he was lovable. He worked to honor himself enough to extract himself from toxic relationships. And he had to WORK at these things.
Time Heals
If you’re going through something right now, know that time does lessen the impact of traumatic experiences. But that’s only part of the equation. You can help yourself along the path of healing by doing the inner work. There is hope and there is joy on the other side–even if it doesn’t feel like it right this second. Keep a keen eye out for the light at the end of the tunnel and keep moving toward it.
❤️ Much love to you all and many thanks for being a part of our world here at Lucra.
Mindie
Hey Mindie,
Thank you for this post and the link to your podcast, which I had not heard. I think of you both. It is strange I imagine, that I carry a photo with me of Sean and me. Strange because as much as I wished to be a good friend, that had not happened yet. But I learned so much in his speaker training and there is something about him, and you too Mindie, that continues to inspire me in the best possible way. I sold my house. I gave away all my things. And I traveled. That photo went with me in my fanny pack. It is on the counter now in the casita I live in in El Salvador…in El Zonte…next to the ocean. It is getting faded. I have another as Jason was at that event and I wanted a “good” photo on my phone. Sean didn’t know me at all and he complied with my request. But it is the tiny polaroid that I love so much. I think he would be stunned to know what happened with it and how much it means to me. I didn’t come to the celebration of life. I thought about it. I checked the energy (which is one of the things about me that is a little “different”) and got a “no” to going. So I live streamed it. And then I knew why I didn’t go. Because I cried so hard…harder than ever before in my life, (and I have been thorough some tough shit like many people). It didn’t make sense to me. It still doesn’t except most people were upbeat at that celebration and sometimes I wondered if I was crying all the tears that hadn’t emerged yet. Anyway Mindie, I think of you. And of him. With lots of love. And I enjoy the daily quotes I get in my inbox. Much love to you from me…Terra Brooke
Thanks, Terra, for sharing your story. I’m not surprised to hear that (nor would he be). He had that effect on people. 😊
Mindie,
Thank you for that sweet, and valuable message. I am sorry that Sean was taken from you and the world so soon. My heart goes out to you today. May God’s peace and love comfort you.
Best wishes and continued success.
James Garrett
Thank you, James. Life is good! ❤️