Someone recently asked me why I am doing this blog and why I am trying to become the man I desire to be my whole life, when my productive years are numbered. This is an excellent question as misguided as it is. He went on to tell me that he has lived a full life and for his remaining years planned to eat, drink and be merry. He added, that he is not out to impress anyone and he does not worry about his weight nor his accomplishments. An interesting perspective, however I believe in the end he will regret it.
If we take his logic, I have lived 60% of my life and only 40% remains. The average male life expectancy in America is close to 76 and I will soon celebrate my 46th birthday. I hope for much longer, and through a healthy lifestyle I intend to live longer, but there are no guarantees. I once heard a man tell Stephen Covey that his running ten miles per day throughout his life will add ten years to his life. Covey replied, yes but you spent those ten years running. I did not do the math, but do understand the principal meaning. It comes down to priorities and quality of life. If one spends too much time in the gym or working to achieve goals and dreams, one misses the best things in life and the reason you are doing all the work for in the first place.
In the book Finish Strong by Dan Green, I came upon a story that explains this desire to finish your life strong. It is an eloquently written blog by an incredible, terminally ill young teenager, which sadly lost the battle to cancer. He is Miles Alpern Levin and he started his blog after learning he had cancer. Here is a link to his story: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/20/obit.miles.levin/index.html. I quote him, “Dying is not what scares me. It’s dying having no impact.” His comparison of life and a bucket of golf balls explain it best.
Miles Alpern Levin July 7, 2005:
“I went to the driving range the other day and I was thinking . . .
I was thinking how you start out with a big bucket full of golf balls, and you just start hitting away carelessly. You have dozens of them, each individual ball means nothing so you just hit, hit, hit. One ball gone is practically inconsequential when subtracted from your bottomless bucket. There are no practice swings or technique re-evaluations after a bad shot, because so many more tries, remain. Yet eventually you start to have to reach down towards the bottom of the bucket to scavenge for another shot and you realize that tries are running out. Now with just a handful left, each swing becomes more meaningful. The right technique becomes more crucial, so between each shot you take a couple practice swings and a few deep breaths. There is a very strong need to end on a good note, even if every preceding shot was horrible, getting it right at the end means a lot. You know as you tee up your last ball, “This is my final shot, I want to crush this with perfection; I must make this count.” Limited quantities or limited time brings a new, precious value and significance to anything you do. Live every day shooting as if it’s your last shot, I know I have to.”
Well said young Miles and I pray you are walking with your Savior in the highest kingdom.
"I have tried my best to show what it is to persevere, and what it means to be strong." --- Miles Levin
To be continued...
This is just the right story today. Thanks my friend.
ReplyDeleteHi there-
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your posts. I found your blog from Miles Levin's mom.
Three years ago I was 47 and 300 pounds. I told my sons I was going to run a marathon, and they all laughted. They said I was too slow, too old, and too fat.
A couple of weeks after the comment, my 15 year old son was diagnosed with stage IV leikemia and Lymphoma. That is how we connected with the Levin family (Miles had passed away 2 months earlier - an incredible young man who has impacted so many).
The next year I ran the Columbus, Ohio marathon with the team from the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. My son was strong enough to leave the hospital and see me cross the finish line. Today he is in full remission.
Now I am 50. Still fat, but 60 pounds lighter. Still slow, but faster than I was. Still old, but acting a lot less mature.
TylerAlfriend.blogspot.com
Kyle,
ReplyDeleteWelcome and I am thrilled your son is in remission. Hopefully, he will remain healthy, living to a ripe old age. You ran a marathon? Awesome accomplishment and one I have heard is extremely difficult. Sixty pounds lost is no small accomplishment, well done my friend. I love the last sentence. "Still old, but acting a lot less mature." I will check out your blog and follow your continued progress.
Todd
In the comment left by Kyle it is mentioned that he learned of my blog from Miles Levin's mother. Miles Levin's mother found this blog less than 24 hours after I posted something about her son? That is an intimidating event. I hope she did not mind that I used her son and his words in my blog. That said, she made a comment that really penetrated my soul. I am a father and in the continued parts of "Finish Strong" blog post I will explain that my daughter is what started my journey. Miles Levin's mother made a comment that really made my "why" get clarified.
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When he was too sick to write, his mother, Nancy, chimed in: "The boy Miles was in June of '05 was sweet, innocent, disorganized and ungrounded ("earth to Miles"). The man that Miles is today is clear, focused, heart centered, and purposeful.
"It was cancer that intervened. That deadly disease carried the power of transmutation, and Miles accepted the offer."
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My journey and the pursuit of dreams is something that I hope will do the same for my beautiful daughter. If she will not heed my words, then hopefully she will learn through my experience.
Todd
what a powerful post. it all comes down to priorities. to be what we want to be.
ReplyDeleteAmber,
ReplyDeleteWell said.
It is amazing the lives we can touch just by sharing. One of my friends gave me a saying that has been my guide lately and seems to fit. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass....it's about learning to dance in the rain." It seems as if I will learn a lot from many of you. Dance on.
ReplyDeleteTodd, as a reader of Miles' and Miles' Mom as well, I look forward to your follow-up post. I've put your blog into my feed reader so that I don't miss it. Good luck to you in your quest to become the man you have always aspired to be.
ReplyDelete@Kyle, I heartily commend you for taking that first step on the road to the marathon! Send a little of that determination this way, please...I too am too old, too slow, and too fat.
I followed Miles' blog after seeing him on Anderson Coopers 360. I could not imagine what a perspective this teenage had on life and his ability to share, with the world, the agony and the ectasy then the reality. He and his wonderful family allowed us in. Nancy continues to illuminate and the fact that you are touched and carry the torch further ahead is a testament that Miles made a tremendous impact on this world then and now.
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