This week, I celebrated my 60th birthday. This milestone birthday forced me to reflect on my life and future. I also realized that the longer I live, the more I become aware how much more I need to understand. My book for my children was my attempt to pass on what I have learned “the hard way” so that they would not have to go through what I did and therefore avoid those mistakes and heartaches as a result. I have also come to understand that sometimes, you have to experience pain and disappointment in order to fully appreciate the good times when they arrive.
Try as we might, we cannot avoid the inevitable heartache, disappointment, lost loves, promotions that were denied and dreams that never come to be. You can try to avoid these mistakes and it is important to not repeat the errors of others when they can be avoided, but it is also true that you must often experience the depths of despair in order to fully appreciate the joys of success and victory. You cannot win the Super Bowl without first experiencing a few defeats along the way. However, it is a wise coach and player who reviews previous games and mistakes, learns from them and adapts future behavior in order to hoist the trophy. However, it is also true that when the game is on the line true winners “go with their gut” and trust themselves to make the play that produces victory. Do not be afraid to fail. Fear of failure leads to defeat and fear of victory can paralyze you. Trust yourself and your abilities and truly believe that you can accomplish great things. Then, go out, do your job and make that play.
Do not become that timid soul who attempts little so that little can be lost. Great happiness frequently arrives after terrible loss or failure. Understand and analyze your defeats, learn from them and move on. When you experience your victory, recall those times of despair and then fully enjoy your moment. You are only given a finite amount of time on this earth. Live it well, both the good and the bad and treasure all of your memories. Make as many memories as you can while you still have the chance. Live, love and laugh every day of your life, seize the opportunities as they arrive and one day you can look back on a life well lived, fully enjoyed and greatly experienced. It is your life, make it legendary.