On Monday, February 1st, 2016, James Twyman walked into ISIS controlled Syria to perform his peace concert. He had asked his tribe previously if everyone would say a prayer of peace at the exact same time throughout the world. I had the time to pray programmed into my phone so I could be a part of the collective. As the time neared, I actually got chills and felt like there was a powerful energy building up. I wanted to tap into it and give my support. This whole process got me thinking as to what makes up an individual such as James Twyman? Why is it that some people will kick ass and do this sort of thing and why do some folks decide that just getting by is good enough? It's an interesting thing to ponder. Why am I one who is ready to look deep inside and why are some folks just okay with staying home, never traveling and just surviving? I want to thrive.
I am realizing more and more that the James Twyman's of the world usually have been through some earth shattering situation that turned their lives around in a minute. There are the cancer survivors who say, "Cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me." There are the people who have lost loved ones in an instant that are well aware that life is just too darn short to waste it. That's the avenue that put me on this path. The loss of someone with whom I have a connection with changed my life in just one day. The path that I am taking since his sudden death has been one that has not only amazed me but those around me as well.
Remember the story of Randy Pausch, the charismatic young college professor who chronicled his battle with pancreatic cancer in a remarkable speech widely-known as the "Last Lecture? If you have never read this book or seen his lecture, I would highly recommend it. In fact, I am going to share the video of it right here. Please take a moment to watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncoSRKoU6GQ
Mr. Pausch points out a few important factors in this video. "Anything you dream is possible.". He talks about how to live life as if you were dying because, well, he was dying. I watched this video and said to myself, "If this man is so inspirational and upbeat in his last few months, what could I do here on Earth without being that sick?" Imagine the possibilities.
The lessons that have come through loud and clear for me over the last few months is, life is short. We are all going to die. No one gets out of here alive! With that in mind I decided it was time to take some action and live the best life that I can! What does that look like? It's a daily work-in-progress. I have been given the gift of this realization by folks I have lost way too young. The best way that I can honor their memories is to live my life to the fullest. I know that they are around me everyday. I talk to them. Obviously they might not talk back, but I know in my heart that they are there to support me.
“Don't you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you're not taking advantage of it? Do you realize you've lived nearly half the time you have to live already?” ― Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
Until My Next Adventure,
P.A. Walker
As always, you can connect with me on my Facebook Page, The Second Half and also on Twitter.
