Let's Talk—If Life Gave You A Second Chance, How Would You Live More Meaningfully?
Few nights ago I needed a drop somewhere in my city and my friend @speedracer was taking me there. As we were driving to the location we discussed about our recent struggles. We had both survived major road accidents. But looking back we've both managed to come back quite strongly from these incidents in our lives.
I had once imagined a hypothetical situation where I would go through the worst possible and if such a situation presented itself what is it that I might do thereafter. It came true but I'd like to think the worst is behind me now, and so I felt like this topic is worthy of a discussion in the open.
Sometimes life gives you a second chance, or even two! Not always, but sometimes. It's what you do with those second chances that counts. —Dave Wilson
So, Let's Talk!
@speedracer and I felt grateful that we're alive, even as we have rods and screws, which are sometimes painful to live with. I suffered a minor disability (temporary I hope) in my right hand from the crash even as I wait for nerve graft to heal and work; We've adapted to our situations quite well and sometimes that's all one can do.
Couple of days ago I wrote about my 1 year on Steemit and I felt so glad to be able to share some of my achievements from the past year. To be honest with you, when I was hit by a errant motorist and lying near a ditch on the side of a road snaking through a forest, several hours away from medical assistance, the thought I might not make it this far crossed my mind several times!
I told myself I have to make it through this and somehow I remained calm throughout with until I received medical care about 8 hrs later.
Life is full of challenges but it is also full of opportunities. I had a lot of time to think through Feb-May about the way forward and I decided to do the best with whatever I've got. When I was finally able to sit longer hours and use both my arms I began working harder than ever before.
The importance of realizing the truth that life could be over in a second teaches you a lot about managing your time wisely. I've started doing things a bit differently ever since.
- I have been engaged in some charitable causes and I have continued doing more on that front. The idea is quite simple: To make a small difference in the world before I kick the bucket.
- On Steemit I've helped with onboarding of new users through different channels as well as retaining existing users on everyday basis through different means.
- I'm from India and I find Steemit to offer everyone an incredible opportunity. In my opinion, there's massive potential for growth on Steemit from India and I'd like to see Steem in the news through the early stages. So, I've decided to work towards spreading the word about this platform which holds immense potential to empower users globally and I've had some success in doing so. It's an ongoing effort.
- When I was at the hospital, 5 of my friends including @varunpinto @wandererowheels @srinidhi donated blood. Recently, I've signed up as a stem cell donor with Datri.org in my country and also hope to donate blood in the near future.
- I ensure I spend time with my family and close friends on a regular basis and try as much as possible to spend time away from the computer on the weekends. It's important to do this because when you're close to kicking your bucket you are going to miss being around people who care for you not how much money you made or hours you spent in front of a lifeless screen!
- I dont waste any time watching TV, instead I prefer to read anything that expands the way I think about things and way I go about my life or do something that improves my existing skills or add new ones.
- I've stopped hanging out with negative people or anyone who focuses on problems than finding solutions. Surrounding yourself with positive people can make a world of a difference. I've realized the importance of pushing out the bad elements from my life and the results have been astounding.
- I try not to dwell in the past and instead focus on building a better future every day. Today, I'm more certain than ever before that everyday I'm making a small difference and helping others through my work. That's a big factor for my high self-motivation!
- Pushing myself through recovery by staying positive has helped me a lot and I hope in a year from now I will be able to write down the moment when I got back use of my fingers on my right hand.
- I work continuously on my improving my finances and ensure my financial planning is on track!
- I don't think I was lucky at all. I had people who stood by me. Right from the moment I met with an accident to present times! I hope to be able to do the same for my friends in similar capacity.
- I stopped believing anything is impossible. You shouldn't waste a second chance when life hands it over to you!
Couple of the things I wish I did better are:
- Sleep early and sleep well enough. I dont do either of them and that's something I'm working on.
- Eat healthy and exercise. Both are a bit off track as my physical activity is restricted currently as I'm still not 100% yet.
The fact is that we may like to call these life changing events such as second chances but it's more about being in the moment and seizing it with all we've got more than anything else. But, no matter how devasting life is at some point in your life, remember it will get better from there.
Well, this is how I look at life right now. I was able to come back and achieve so many things through trial and error by believing in myself. If you are going through a tough time, remember that it will pass. Just belive in yourself and you'll accomplish anything!
I'd like to read your opinion on this. Have you been through difficult situations and what did you differently when you came out of it?
If you like my work kindly resteem it to your friends. You may also continue reading my recent posts which might interest you:
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Hi my dear son @firepower... Every single word in your post is so much meaningful, and I read the whole post, again and again. Eyes became moist on recollecting the incidents happened on that day.
Yes, life sometimes gives us a second chance, and it is in our hands to make the most of it. After reading this post, and about your views and thoughts about future, you know what I felt?
I just want to thank God, for having given me a 'Gem' in the form of a 'Son'...
Love you mom!
Never look back. Only forward. It's the only direction we can change anyway!
Thank you! These are simple but very powerful words! This is something I will keep in mind forever A.Kitten!
You are welcome :) Looking forward to chatting with you!
Sometimes you need that 'incident' in your life to WAKE you up and start becoming a better person. I lost my job last year after being in the industry for 11 years. It was the WAKE-UP call. Also helped me become a better person - spending time with my angels, my wife and my parents. Taking care of my health. Doing things that I loved. But it also made me a mature and better person to take the RIGHT calls, spend wisely and look at life seriously.
And yes, we all need a second chance. I am happy where I am today. And what I am today.
It takes a lot to accept that and then figure out how to proceed. Quite a rollercoaster past year we've both had! I'm glad to hear this change in perspective from you. It's been a long ride so far man! Long way to go! Whoop Whoop! Hoping to catch you later in the year when I come to Delhi for a few! :)
If only i could go back to yesterday. Second chances would be great in relationships. :/
If I had $1.80 for every time I said that, I tell ya I'd be a rich man.
@paco relationships are dynamic. Feelings of intimacy, closeness and satisfaction never stay exactly the same.
I sometimes feel the same.
But now I am trying to think of it that yesterday happened the way it was suppose to happen. I needed to do those mistakes and learn a lesson from them.
I ask myself, have I learned the lesson or not yet? If yes, then instead of wishing to go back and correct yesterday with the information I gained today, I try to think of how I can use this learning experience to live better today and to be prepared for tomorrow.
As long as we keep applying the lessons we learned, things will move on in a better direction.
Good luck to you, me and everyone else :D
Thanks for your advice :)
Oh, Thanks for reading it, accepting it and upvoting it :D
Lol, relationships and @theleapingkoala go side by side I guess :D
Good to see your comment after so many days. I hope you're doing fine in the search of the right one for you. How are the dating sites coming along? Lol.
Hey! How are you @beingnaveed? Long time!
Things are okay. Getting busy to understand Steemit and get myself going.
I gave up on the dating sites since last year and I refuse to go back to that madness. LOL
I believe that if I am meant to be with someone, then I will meet him somehow, somewhere, someway, someday LOL
Leaving it to the Universe to take care of the details for me. In the meantime, I am working to build myself and my business as a life coach, since I will finish my post-doc soon.
How are things with you? Hope all is well? :)
I believe you're doing fine with steemit so far. Just a few new things I've learnt, I would like to share with you someday. They work fine.
So becoming a life coach? Super cool. How's it like? The training and everything?
Things at my end are extreme at the moment. Lol. Is there a way we can talk directly and not on comments on random posts? Haha. I'm sorry I'm yet to know that part of Steemit.
Hey!
Thank you for visiting and sharing your comments and upvotes.
Life coaching is new for me but I like it a lot. Training is going great. Thanks for asking.
Sure, we can talk through chat. You can text me your msgs but I will answer you later since I am going to sleep now, unless you will be awake when I wake up, then we can chat real time :)
Have a good day for now :D
Hmm I need to figure out how to message you. Lets see.
@firepower If only we knew everything when we were four!
The good news is that there is an alternative to the emotional paralysis of, “I should have known better-itis.” Instead of wishing you had known better and kicking yourself that you didn’t, how about giving yourself a second chance?
Give Yourself a “Second Chance Checklist”
-Turn unproductive regrets into productive regrets.....!
Regrets are important in our life to help us self-correct. The key is to recover from and build on the sharp sting of regrets to look for the lessons learned and take comfort in the fact that these lessons make us wiser.
-Take comfort in the fact... that regrets help us develop empathy for others.
How would we ever develop real empathy if we never made a mistake or a wrong turn? It is regrets that keep us in check from being judgmental and arrogant. Thus, we become better people who, in turn, have more compassion and empathy for others. Empathy is considered to be one of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence.
We can’t turn back the clock of time. Good or bad, right or wrong, it is done. It’s over!
Once the ingredients are mixed, we can not separate them apart.
Once a word goes from our mouth, we can not take it back.
Once we do an action, we can not choose another one in its place.
Once wood is reduced to sawdust, you can’t make it back into a board.
I love the way you put it. Indeed, there is no point in getting stuck regretting something we can't change.
It is better to take the severed thump to the doctor to stitch it fast instead of letting it rot while crying about it being severed.
My late Fiancée used to tell me: "Keep your words sweet in case you need to swallow them back one day." I will always remember and do as he said.
Love to all :)
"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around."
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I'd probably be more confident, speak more, live more. I won't be confined from where i live, my routine. I'd risk better since it's a second chance. I would probably have fun more, rather than work my ass off. I would focus on one skill from the get go, hone it, and contribute to humanity. It's better than being well rounded and good at nothing.
Resteeming because its interesting and i want people to see :)
Impressive story ... ! Good to read you've managed to recover from the ordeal.
I haven't experienced any dire situations in the last few years. However, as I grow older I realize more and more that life could end in the blink of an eye. I've seen young families getting destroyed by deadly diseases and I've seen young, rich and happy people kill themselves (haven't seen the actual suicide but saw the effects).
This is why I've abondened the rat race and strive for a more relaxed lifestyle with more free time. I value freedom more than a busy career.
I've seen rough experiences work both ways. For some people it is like a wake up call but others just give up on life and completely lose themselves. I guess it depends on how strong a person is. I try to learn from my mistakes and be helpful in general but I cannot say I have had a life changing experience yet. I wonder how will it change my views and will I value things different if I ever happen to go trough something like that..
Only the time can tell. But you gotta be strong to face whatever comes and keep moving forward.
Beautiful story and even more beautiful outcome. I am happy you will be able to recover soon and that you didn't give up.
I agree with everything you said. I had multiple difficulties in my life. Physical and psychological. A couple where I was close to losing my life in a car accident and another was actually losing someone else (my fiancée) in a car accident which was so hard that I wished I lost my life instead.
I personally found the psychological one (losing someone I loved) was much harder to recover from than the physical ones. Maybe because I miraculously got out of both car accidents almost unscathed.
I kept blaming myself for the death of my fiancée even though I was in a different continent when he had the car accident. I felt that he deserved the second chances I was given more than I did. He was such a good person, loved by everyone around him. I was the opposite, not loved by anyone but him. I always wondered why and how he was able to love me, when no one else did.
Anyway, I am trying to make use of the second chance I was generously given by the universe. Trying to find what is it that I am supposed to do in life before I leave it. Still not sure, but I am working on it.
Thanks again for sharing your story with us :)