What's Truly Important?

Things happen in life that serve as wake-up calls for how you're living life.

Cancer at age 38 was my first big wake-up call. I remember thinking about who might show up to my funeral and what they'd say about me (and wasn't exactly thrilled by it).

And this past President's Day weekend, another one...

My youngest son (Noah) and husband (Jeff) went to Big Bend National Park with their Scout Troop. Jeff led a mountain hike with a few of the boys and their fathers.

Three-quarters of the way up, everyone’s worst fear came true.

One of the men was having chest pains.

Despite having several doctors with them (one a cardiologist) who correctly assessed he was having a heart attack, tried to quickly get him down the mountain and gave him CPR, he didn’t make it.

To say this was unexpected is an understatement.

From the outside, you would have thought this man would have been one of the LAST people to have a heart attack. He exercised and looked to be in good shape.

I know this is an unusually morbid story for me to share but hang with me for a moment because there’s a purpose.

The Goal Of Life Is This (Isn't It?)

This man died too early. The event was tragic.

But he passed doing something he loved with one of the people he loved the most (his 16-year old son).

And - although I didn't know him personally - I've learned from others that his life was well-lived.

Isn't that the goal of life? To be able to look back and know you've lived your life well?

What Are You Focusing On?

I made some pretty big changes to my life as a result of my breast cancer journey.

I would still be practicing law if I had never had cancer, which wouldn’t be a bad thing (I enjoyed my practice, clients and firm) but I feel more aligned in what I do now.

More importantly, I changed how I view life and how to live it fully.

The unexpected death of a wonderful father, husband and man had me reevaluate yet again.

The things we tend to obsess over on a daily basis are rarely the things we care much about at the end.

Consider what you're currently focusing on or worrying over. How important are these things (really)?

This isn't to say these things have zero importance. But you'll want to put them in perspective.

A Simple Question

You get just one life.

And there’s no telling exactly when or how your story will end.

So, instead of worrying about that (which you have little to no control over), ask yourself...

How are you choosing to show up each day you’re here?

XO,

Heather

P.S. If you haven’t listened to last week’s Life & Law Podcast episode about What Breast Cancer Taught Me, I urge you to do so. These lessons have helped me to show up as best I can.

I share them with you so you can too. Listen >>>here.