My veterinarian, who was also a family friend, passed yesterday in a tragic accident. We’ve had many dogs, and the loss of each was painful. This man was there for all of those moments. He was always compassionate and kind. His tragic passing reminded me I needed to get back to following my personal manifesto I created to help myself improve. It shouldn’t have taken a tragedy to do that, but it did.
The reality of his death hit me harder than expected. I’ve said life is short many times, but the gravity of that statement has a different pull today. My heart is heavy. His passing was a shock. He will be sorely missed by his family and the community. He is already missed by me.
Life Is Short.
A little over a year ago I decided I needed to change my life for the better. Not that my life was horrible, but small improvements could help me feel happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. I did well for a while, but after a few months, I began to slip. Good habits became easy to break and once that happens bad ones are easy to form. What I needed was a personal manifesto.
I’m a believer in lists and written reminders to do things. So naturally, to get back on track, I made a list of tasks I needed to do every day to make small improvements. I wanted to learn and grow every day. I wanted to be healthier, and I wanted to feel more in touch with family and friends. My personal manifesto list was written to help me do those things.
I’ve not always lived up to the promises I made to myself even after I wrote down my list. I’ve slipped on many days, and the list has gathered dust at times. Today’s sad news is a stark reminder that procrastination is a vice that leaves us with little or no footprint in life. Waiting until tomorrow to do things is a bad habit. I’m more guilty than most. For me, procrastination has become a work of art. I have to work hard not to procrastinate. But life IS short, so I need to work harder.
What Is Our Legacy?
I’m 42 years old, yet I still wonder what I want to be when I grow up. Yes, I’ve technically become an adult. I work, I have a family, and I pay bills. I enjoy gaming online with long-time friends, and I spend a fair amount of time on social media geeking out with many people who have become near and dear to my heart.
My veterinarian was a giving soul. He worked hard and made an incredible impact on the lives of so many people. He was beloved in his church and community alike. My personal connection to him is not unlike thousands of others. He was the kind of person that always went the extra mile. Those extra steps mattered to me when my pets needed him. His legacy will be one of an inspiring, caring, and honorable person. He will long be remembered by many.
It dawned on me today that the real proof of our existence is rooted in the impression we make upon those around us. So I dusted off my personal manifesto. It was tucked away in one of my many subfolders on my computer.
I hope I can stick with it this time because it was designed to help me be a better version of me. One that makes life better for those around me. Everything we do and say makes an impression, good or bad, on others. The imprint we leave is the legacy we create.
My Personal Manifesto:
- Walk for at least 30 minutes
- Read for at least 30 minutes
- Tell someone what I appreciate or love about them
- Learn something new
- Watch my carbs
- Eat my protein
- Drink 60 ounces of water
- Leave the house at least once
- Write about things I love
- Embrace my friendships and family
- Walk away from negativity
- Be a positive influence on someone
- Work hard, so I don’t have regrets tomorrow
- Show enthusiasm for things I believe in and love
- Go to bed at a decent hour
I told myself at the time that it was okay to miss some things on the list some days. Punishing myself for not checking off all 15 things wouldn’t help build the right mindset. I still think that’s the right approach, but I need to be a bit more disciplined. These were good things to do. Not just for me, but for others around me.
What Would My Legacy Be?
I honestly don’t know, but I hope that I can continue to grow and continue to help others I care about to do the same thing. If I’m remembered only for that, I think I can feel good about my days ahead.
Either way, my heart goes out to my friend’s family as they deal with the aftermath of his tragic loss. He made a difference. A good one. Because of who he was, I’m more motivated to stick with my personal manifesto than before.
I suspect I’m not the only person today reflecting on life and pondering how to make it better because of the good man he was. If there’s a rainbow after the storm of his death, perhaps it will be that the ripple effect he had on others will continue to inspire the lives he touched. It certainly has—and will—for me.
Also published on Medium.
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