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Game Over:  Today You Die

By Doug Nielsen

What were the last words he spoke to his family, friends, and employees? 

He started his day as he normally would, but with one big difference - today he was going to die.

I wonder how different things would have been if he had known this was his last day on this earth?  Was he satisfied with his life?  Did he follow the desires of his heart in pursuit of his dreams?  Did he consider himself a success at home and at work? 

These were just some of the thoughts that ran through my mind when a friend of mine died unexpectedly this week. Strangely, he was in great physical condition and yet he died of a heart attack.  I am still in shock over the tragic events and saddened for the wife and four little ones he left behind!  He will be greatly missed. 

I guess the ultimate question for me is, “Was he able to see the big picture of his life?” 

Have you had a friend die unexpectedly?  What thoughts and feelings flooded your mind when you received the unfortunate news?  These events can bring an abrupt halt to the treadmill of life and give pause for looking your mortality in the face.  It is funny how quickly death can bring your life into perspective, how quickly you are able to see the big picture of your life.  

My friend’s death led me to ask myself many questions.  One I want to ask you is, “If you were to die today would you be at peace with yourself because you were living in the big picture of your life?”

By big picture, I mean you are able to focus on your mission, calling or purpose of your life and not get sidetracked by small pixels of stress that are ultimately irrelevant and lead to a hard heart.  This is a place where you can ask yourself, “What am I to learn in this situation?”  Or, “How can this circumstance help me be a better person?”  “How can I use this situation to help another person?” 

This week after a presentation, the CEO of the organization told me about a life changing experience he had about one year ago.  He had massive internal bleeding that the doctors could not pinpoint the source of.  Late one evening, feeling sick and very weak, he went into the hospital and collapsed in the ER due to blood loss.  That was the last thing he remembered until he woke up with a doctor straddling him, hitting him on chest and yelling, “You’re not going to die! Wake up! You will not die on my watch! Wake up! Your family needs you! You can’t die, now wake up!!!”  Although he had died on the table, this doctor, in her determination, did everything she could to save him and she did.  He said that when he woke up with her beating him, in his confusion, he tried to defend himself by trying to hit her back.  Seeing it was a lady he stopped himself!

I asked him how this event changed his life.  He said two things:

1. “I now know my heart literally beats for a reason and if it is beating then I have things to do and as trite as it sounds, they are things that only I can do.” 

2. “I don’t get stressed over the little things like I use to.  It is just not worth it.  I try to see the big picture of my life and when I do it gives me badly needed perspective.”

So can your coming to the realization that you will not live forever, nor will the people you love the most, help you remember to connect with the big picture of your life like it did for this CEO?  

What is the big picture of your life?  Can there be a bigger picture to your life that can serve as a backdrop, a backdrop that brings meaning, context and purpose to life’s twists and turns?

If Viktor Frankl had not had “the big picture” mentality in the death camp, he would have died!  

Have you seen a youth soccer coach who has lost sight of the purpose of youth sports and is only focused on winning?  Compare this coach to one who sees the big picture of developing character, teamwork, confidence and perseverance in children.  I like to win, but that’s not the most important thing.  Helping another person grow and develop far exceeds winning.

Apply the principle of keeping the big picture in sight to what is currently going on in your life.

Could your challenges actually help you rise to the greatness that is yet be released?  

This Month’s Invitation: How to better see the big picture of your life.

Until next time, smooth sailing even in the storms and remember to Take Life By The Helm!