I thrive on learning and love listening to different people’s perspectives on life, love, business, and everything in between. I do not favour any particular format, whether it is a podcast, written or video. I go in phases of who I am into at the moment, anywhere from Tim Ferriss to Brene Brown to Michael Singer to Wayne Dyer and sometimes a sprinkling of Jocko Willink. They all provide a little of bit of what I need when I need it. A common theme lately and a question that keeps popping up with many of them is “what advice would you give to your younger self?”
This question, “What advice would you give to your younger self?” is an odd one for me. For me, this question brings thoughts of “regret”, thoughts of “well only if I did this, things would be different.” I would be lying if I did not acknowledge that at one point in my life, I often asked questions like,
“What if my Dad didn’t die in a car accident when I was 9 months old?”;
“What if I tried a little harder in school?”;
“What if I went on a different path in post secondary?” and;
“What if I put myself out there a little bit more and actually said what I thought?”
I stopped asking myself these questions and for good reason. Whether my experiences were in my control or not, I chose this path and it has led me here, today, writing this blog with my beautiful family inside these four lovely walls that we call our home.
The actual question of “what advice would you give to your younger self? is asked not because of what one could change, but rather, a way to pass on guidance. Sometimes, asking the question makes people dream of a different life, a different path, a different outcome. Maybe it is a chance to correct the present course or is intended to help the next generation not make the same mistakes. Either way, I want to focus on the present and where we are heading. I cannot change the past; I can only move forward in present time with what I know now and provide a living example to our children to be the best version of themselves everyday. Learn to take chances, to have fun, to not be afraid to fall, to know how to get back up, and to be comfortable and proud of their successes. I want them to see their parents taking chances, failing and succeeding and learning new perspectives, new ideas and understanding that learning is life long. If Taunya and I can do this for our children, they know we will be here for them to cry with, to laugh with and to celebrate with, no matter what is happening around us.
We all feel that life sometimes seems heavy, and the weight can seem unbearable on our shoulders. We all feel or think, I am not good enough or smart enough or strong enough or there is not enough time in a day” I think we all get bogged down by these kinds of thoughts. We let these thoughts into our mind, dripping like a leaking faucet and suddenly the sink is full, overflowing and flooding our thoughts. At first it is just a drip, but little by little it continues, and it does stop until we are consumed.
Now, I try stop myself at the little drip and remember to slow down and enjoy the moment, enjoy the little things in life and stop over thinking. Not to down play the thoughts I am having, but if I slow down, I am allowing myself the time to grow and evolve.
So if Tim Ferriss asked me this question “What advice would you give to your younger self?” the advice I would give my younger self is to stay present, be thankful, enjoy life and keep living the best life possible. Live life gratefully and be the example you want your kids strive for when they grow up.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Logging off for now,
Rob
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