In June of
2000 I gave a presentation at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut
and was asked to visit some patients, including one elderly Italian
man named Joe in the hospice ward, where terminal patients go
to die. After battling leukemia for years, Joe decided to live
his remaining days without the painful treatments that seemed
to have no effect anyway. He'd been told he has a few weeks, possibly
a few days left. Doctors were now just trying to make him comfortable
so he could die with dignity, in peace.
We spoke for
about an hour and I asked him what advice he had for living life.
He looked me in the eye and spoke with certainty:
"Take
one day at a time. Take nothing too seriously. Have no regrets."
We spoke in
more detail, but basically Joe supported all those motivational
cliches we hear all the time. I guess these cliches come from
older, wiser people who've experienced life.
I believe
that just before we're about to die our lives are put in perspective.
I also believe if we can acquire that perspective early on and
apply it, it'll minimize our stress and maximize our enjoyment
of life. Meeting Joe was a powerful reminder of what is important
to me. When I got home I hugged Rachel so tight she gasped.
Joe's dying
comments are words to live by.
To read more
motivation, check the Chicken
Soup for the Soul series.
Scott Greenberg, Speaker, Author, Leadership Consultant
Providing motivation, team building and leadership training for
groups and individuals looking for optimum performance.
For
more information on programs or leadership workbooks,
call 1-800-450-0432 or visit www.scottgreenberg.com
Print
this article | Close this
window
Copyright © 2001, 2002 Jump Start Performance
Programs - All Rights Reserved
Jump
Start Performance Programs
PO Box 3448 Van Nuys, CA 91407 USA
(800) 450-0432, (818) 785-5202
Fax (818) 785-7610
scott@scottgreenberg.com
|