Finish Strong (Part Two)

In order for anyone to take on the challenge of what I have decided to pursue, one must have a strong why. Why would anyone with half or slightly more of their years left want to work so hard to achieve their life’s ambitions. Why would one attempt to lose more than 200 pounds and attempt to live by design, instead of by default? One week ago, I had no idea that Miles Levin even existed. However, as mentioned I purchased a book Finish Strong by Dan Green that introduced me to Miles. Moved by the comments in the book, I did more research on Miles and found that his Mother or someone brilliantly saved his blog at Care Pages. I read it, studied it, and Miles why stood out like a brilliant search light on a pitch-black horizon.

Miles received the horrific news of his cancer and that his life most likely would be far shorter than he ever imagined. This young man’s why is evident in his quotes. He feared leaving this life having not made an impact on anyone. Brilliantly, this young man cleared his mind of all clutter and searched his soul how to make an impact. It is obvious he was aware of the physical challenge ahead of him, but he knew that the disease and the upcoming fight could not touch his mind or his intellect. Using laser-like focus, he wrote things well beyond that of an average 17-year-old and through inspiration and revelation saw the world in a different light. Even hitting golf balls took on a new meaning and importance. He became a remarkable man and accomplished his ambitions of making an impact on someone. I read there are estimates that 15,000 people or more were following his blog. Through the book Finish Strong by Dan Green and others, Miles Levin continues to make an impact today. He has definitely made an impact on me. He will continue to have an impact on those I share him with and my children.

In order to achieve the extraordinary most of us need a powerful why. The majority of people need a life-altering message to achieve their ambitions and dreams. Most people lose larger amounts of weight or quit smoking when the doctor tells them if you do not, you will get this or that disease or perhaps they already have developed that disease. So, how does one get the motivation to accept the challenge of pursuing their ambitions and transitioning from living by default to living by design with no inherent life-altering message? How does one achieve the GOYA effect? (Get Off Your Anatomy -- Borrowed from my new friend Kyle Alfriend) When the pain ahead will be far more challenging than the easiness of not making changes. This is where I found myself 18-months ago after a heated discussion with my then 10-year-old daughter.

“What is easy and obvious is never valued; and even what is in itself difficult, if we come to knowledge of it without difficulty, and without and stretch of thought or judgment, is but little regarded.” - David Hume


My "Why" defined in the final part of Finish Strong...