Jim Rohn has a great quote: “Life is a struggle to keep death at a respectable distance.” This could be interpreted in a hundred different ways, and I would like to share my perspective on it.
I was once sitting in the crowd during a teaching done by Chris Swanson, a motivational speaker who is a Sheriff in Genesee County, MI and is the All Grace Outreach spokesman for LIFE Leadership. I don’t remember most of what he said because I only remember the way I felt. The name of his talk was “One Shot” – you’ve only got one shot at this life… stop treating it like a rehearsal. I only remember sitting there in tears because I felt that I had spent years in autopilot, without taking real strides toward my purpose.
I recently heard Dan Hawkins, a respected leadership teacher, use this Jim Rohn quote and also said, “Death is pushing against us, so you have to push back.” I believe that personal development is doing just that, pushing against death. No, reading a book isn’t necessarily going to make you live longer (although reading the right marriage book could help you make up with your wife before she kills you). No, listening to a leadership audio isn’t going to add days to your life (although increasing your people skills could add life to your days). No, becoming the best version of yourself may not get death to stop pushing… but I can promise you that doing so will help you not fear death.
A few years ago, I made the decision that my primary goal of the remaining time I have on this earth would be spent in such a way that I would have no regrets when I die. Of course, there are the occasional stupid decisions that we all make that we would probably take back if we could. But I will tell you this – if something happens to me tomorrow morning, I can honestly say that I have lived in such a way that I would have very few regrets.
I believe that I have kept death at a respectable distance… I have chosen to serve people and love people where they are. I have done my best – and will continue to – fight for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves or are being overlooked (#blacklivesmatter). I will not fear death but will instead make the most out of whatever life I have been given. And hopefully when I’m finished on this sin-tainted planet, I will have left it better than how I found it.
What about you? Is the fear of death keeping it too close? Choose to grow yourself and keep death at a respectable distance.
Chris Craft
The Soapbox 