Perspective: My Takeaway From The Boston Marathon Explosions…By Mic Johnson
April 17, 2013 /
in General Information, Personal /
by Mic Johnson
Post written by Mic Johnson, Blogger|LinkedIn Trainer|WordPress Content Guy|Social Coach|Rational Optimist|Jayhawk Fanatic|Cancer Volunteer
I posted the following on my Facebook page a few hours after the explosions at the Boston Marathon. It started as a simple post and then more and more thoughts and feelings started pouring out of me. I wanted to share it here and hope it helps you find…and keep…perspective.
Thanks for reading,
Mic
I often wonder what America would be like if we could all hold on to the perspective we gain from our basic humanity being tested.
9/11, Sandy Hook, Boston, and the countless, inexplicable, inevitable events to come in the uncertain world we live in.
Far too many people are drunk on money, possessions, ego, greed, and power. So many are downright mean to other people and have hate running through their veins. Times like these sober them up for a moment or two and then it’s back to the bottle full of all the things that aren’t important in life.
For me…I try to be better. I try to not let these moments that shake my core pass without learning from them. I often tell people that when I was 23 and
lost my Dad to cancer, for a period of time thereafter, I was “in the zone”.
I knew without a shadow of a doubt what was truly important in life and the world slowed down for me.
It was the coolest experience of my life.
I’m far from perfect. I too let the rat race of life grab ahold of me again and I lost that perspective…I was “out of the zone”. And for years I’ve struggled to get back to that place.
But I’m not giving up.
I owe it to myself and to everyone around me to be the best person I can be…to realize the potential that is inside of me. I know with all of my heart that doing so is the way I can give back and help others…the way I can leave a legacy that lives on long after I’m gone. I want to help others learn from my pain and experiences and guide them to the path of finding their own “zone”.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, this life isn’t about “things”.
It’s about love.
It’s about laughter.
It’s about emotion.
It’s about passion.
It’s about helping other people.
It’s about demanding the most from yourself.
It’s about experiences.
It’s about living your life in a way that helps others shine.
And most importantly…
It’s about the PEOPLE whose lives you touch and who touch your life.
We must be better.
We must demand better. Of others and of ourselves.
Don’t just hug someone today. Don’t just tell someone you love them today. Don’t just help someone today. Don’t just inspire someone today.
Do it….EVERY DAY.
“Life is short” is not a cliche….unless you let it be.
So well said Mic… “Don’t just hug someone today. Don’t just tell someone you love them today. Don’t just help someone today. Don’t just inspire someone today.
Do it….EVERY DAY.”
Yes… just yes.