You have come a long way, and you’re still learning and growing. Be thankful for the lessons. Take them and make the best of things today.
On my 18th birthday, many years back, my maternal grandfather gifted me four slightly used flannel shirts that he no longer required. They were in excellent condition and had hardly been worn; he believed they’d suit me well. Sadly, I perceived them as strange presents at the time and failed to express my appreciation. I gave him a skeptical glance, offered a half-hearted smile, and shifted my attention to the other gifts before me. Just two days later, my grandfather unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. Those flannel shirts turned out to be the final gifts he ever gave me, and that half-smile was the last acknowledgment I showed him. To this day, I regret not voicing the simple words: “Thank you, Grandpa. I appreciate you.”
This experience was a profound wake-up call for me—one that has remained impactful for more than twenty years.
Here are eight insightful wake-up calls for everyone to ponder today—essential lessons that we should embrace before it’s too late: (more…)
You have come a long way, and you’re still learning and growing. Be thankful for the lessons. Take them and make the best of things today.
On my 18th birthday, many years back, my maternal grandfather gifted me four slightly used flannel shirts that he no longer required. They were in excellent condition and had hardly been worn; he believed they’d suit me well. Sadly, I perceived them as strange presents at the time and failed to express my appreciation. I gave him a skeptical glance, offered a half-hearted smile, and shifted my attention to the other gifts before me. Just two days later, my grandfather unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. Those flannel shirts turned out to be the final gifts he ever gave me, and that half-smile was the last acknowledgment I showed him. To this day, I regret not voicing the simple words: “Thank you, Grandpa. I appreciate you.”
This experience was a profound wake-up call for me—one that has remained impactful for more than twenty years.
Here are eight insightful wake-up calls for everyone to ponder today—essential lessons that we should embrace before it’s too late:
1. We might not have tomorrow to say, “I love you.”
About 15 years ago, a colleague tragically lost his life in a car crash on his way to work. At his funeral, many from our office were emotional, sharing sentiments like: “I loved him. We all loved him dearly. He was such a fantastic individual.” I felt tears well up, and I questioned whether they had ever expressed their love to him while he was alive, or if it was only in death that such a profound word, love, was used without reservation.
In that moment, I promised myself I would never again hold back from telling those I cherish just how much I value them. They deserve to hear that they bring purpose to my existence. They need to know that they hold a special place in my heart.
So, the takeaway is this: if you love someone today, let them know. If you appreciate someone today, speak up. There might not be a tomorrow. Today is the day to show your love and gratitude. (Note: Angel and I delve deeper into this topic in the Relationships chapter of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.”)
2. Our judgments of others are often misleading.
You can never truly know what someone else is going through or the entirety of their story. When you think you do, remember that your views about their life are influenced by your own limited understanding.
Many individuals you perceive as successful may be profoundly unhappy. Those who seem to have it easy might have fought hard to reach their current position. Some who look wealthy may be in financial trouble due to their extravagant taste for luxury. Many who seem outdated and uncool once had their moments; they were just as young, trendy, and inexperienced as you are now.
3. The failure to attempt is why most people ultimately fail.
It’s not the errors and setbacks that should concern you the most; it’s the chances you miss when you don’t even make an effort that hurt the most. Trying—truly giving it your all—always results in some form of success, regardless of the outcome. Even the missteps and failures teach you what to avoid next time. Every result, whether positive or negative, is a lesson that enhances your strength and wisdom over time.
So remind yourself that in the end, there’s just one reason a goal or dream becomes unattainable: the reluctance to try. Because the results in your life are not based on what you intend to do or what you say you’ll do. Your outcomes stem from what you actually make an effort to do consistently!
Indeed, your life will improve when YOU improve. Start nurturing yourself mentally and physically. Prioritize learning and evolving every day by cultivating positive habits and sticking to them. The stronger you become, the more enriching your life will feel in the long run.
4. Patience isn’t just passively waiting.
Patience involves fruitful action. It signifies making the best use of the resources you have while understanding that the outcomes you desire require time and effort, which isn’t accessible elsewhere for less time and effort.
Patience is recognizing that the quality of your life over the long haul is far more important than how many materials you fill it with today. Patience is your willingness to embrace and value what you have now while you diligently pursue the dreams and aspirations that hold the greatest significance for you.
5. Many of us don’t need more possessions to be happy.
Deep down, you know that life’s greatest treasures aren’t material; they are rooted in relationships, experiences, and fulfilling work. Still, you exist in a consumer-driven world inundated by clever marketing strategies that entice you to purchase things you neither need nor desire.
In time, the accumulation of unnecessary items can actually undermine the emotional satisfaction that advertising suggests they will provide. So, next time you’re about to make an impulsive buy, ask yourself if this item truly offers more value than the things you already possess. Or have you been momentarily deceived into thinking you’re unsatisfied with what you currently have? (Refer to “Soulful Simplicity.”)
6. None of us are flawless.
We are all human beings prone to imperfections. We make errors, we lose our composure, and we can be taken by surprise. Sometimes we falter and lose control. In fact, even the confident can waver, the patient can lose their calm, the generous can behave selfishly, and the knowledgeable can second-guess their wisdom.
But that’s just part of being human—we all have our flawed moments. Most of the time, we shine! So support the people you care about during their imperfect moments, and extend the same kindness to yourself; if you can’t do that, you don’t deserve to share in their remarkable moments either.
7. All the small things culminate into significant change.
Life isn’t about a few standout moments of great achievement. It’s about the ups and downs that lead you there—the effort, the struggles, and the small, seemingly insignificant actions you engage in daily. In the end, it all counts—every step, every regret, every choice, and each minor challenge.
Indeed, these minor, seemingly trivial occurrences accumulate to create something meaningful. The minimum wage job you held in high school. The nights you spent laughing with colleagues who are now distant memories. The hours spent documenting your thoughts on social media posts that never garnered an audience. The dreams of elaborate future plans that didn’t materialize. The lonely evenings spent immersed in books, articles, and tweets, all while questioning your own beliefs about life, love, and whether you’re enough just as you are…
All these experiences have fortified you! They have guided you to every achievement you’ve enjoyed. They have shaped who you are today.
It’s true—you’ve been broken down countless times and rebuilt yourself. Consider how remarkable that is, and how far you’ve traveled. You’re evolving; you’re not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even yesterday. You’re always growing… stronger!
8. Excuses are often just self-deceptions.
Just because someone else can succeed doesn’t mean you can’t. You might think you’re not equipped enough, you’ve missed your chance, or it’s just out of reach for you. You seek reasons why they can do it but you can’t…
- “Perhaps he’s an internet mogul because he doesn’t have children.”
- “Maybe she’s in better shape than I am because she doesn’t juggle work and family responsibilities, or has a more understanding partner, or doesn’t struggle with health issues.”
OK, sure, it’s easy to come up with excuses: but look at those who have faced substantial challenges and still found success. Angel and I have our own family and have endured significant losses in our lives yet still made meaningful strides forward. Just as we’ve changed our circumstances, we know many others who have done the same. Through 15 years of working with clients and event attendees, we’ve seen people reshape their lives at every age—48-year-olds starting families, 57-year-olds earning their degrees for the first time, 71-year-olds launching thriving businesses, and many more. There are countless stories of those with disabilities or health issues overcoming their challenges to achieve extraordinary results.
No one can succeed on your behalf. The life you lead is the product of your own choices. There are endless possibilities available to you, and countless opportunities to bridge the gap between your current situation and your aspirations. NOW is the time to take that step!
It’s your turn…
From this moment onward, I genuinely hope you experience an inspiring remainder of your day, that you dare to dream boldly and fearlessly, that you take steps towards progress that didn’t exist prior to your actions, that you love deeply and receive love in return, and that you find the strength to accept and learn from the challenges beyond your control. And most importantly (as both Angel and I believe in fostering more kindness and wisdom in this world), that you make wise choices when necessary, and always show generosity to yourself and others.
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