If death were to meet me tomorrow

E60: On leaving a legacy and getting started

“If death were to meet me tomorrow”

Have I said all I have to say?

Do those I love know the depth and history of that love, and that it persists beyond dimensions? Why am I waiting to tell them?

Am I waiting for perfection before sharing my thoughts in writing or via speeches? What opportunity will I lose if the moment passes?

Have I done what I have to do?

What do I give myself permission not to do? (h/t Bucket List Laila Faisal)
And therefore what is most essential?

Have I left footprints behind for others to follow?

What is the essence of me? The scent in the air that reminds them that I was here?

Have I left tendrils of hope and imagination that will blossom into someone else’s big idea?

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I have three funerals to attend this coming week. Naturally, mortality is on my mind, playing havoc with getting this week’s edition out on schedule.

I’ve also been helping emerging writers find their voices and voice their passions as they start publishing online for the Write of Passage program. Some writers write about leaving a legacy through their essays - for loved ones or as they make their particular mark upon the world.

The confluence of these two events led me to the thoughts above. Straight from my journal, lightly edited. And the inevitable question:

What are you waiting for?

Death can be sudden and unannounced.

“I was not born with an expiry date tattooed [… on my person]” Mike Funk said to his father, Danny van Leeuwen, before passing away some years ago, at the age of 26. It is a memorable metaphor that sticks with me. None of us knows how long we are allowed to walk this earth.

So don’t wait for the perfect compilation of your work. Share your treasured sentiments with your loved ones. If you feel passionate about an injustice or something beautiful, make your thoughts known.

I sometimes wonder what other thought-provoking treasures we would have if Irish poet, John O’Donohue, had not died in his sleep in 2008 at the age of 52. I am grateful for the simple poetry and prose that he published while still alive.

I’d like to leave you with some of my favourite passages from his book “Benedictus - A Book of Blessings”

A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and strengthen. A blessing is different from a greeting, a hug, a salute or an affirmation; it opens a different door in human encounter. A blessing awakens future wholeness.

To invoke a blessing is to call some of that wholeness upon a person now. A blessing is from soul to soul. When you bless someone, you literally call the force of their infinite self into action.

Sending you, dear member of our tribe, a blessing.

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Our Tribe Tilt continues to grow. We are now joined by Ted (a geologist), Matan (an entrepreneur), Erin (a writer) amongst others.

You are joining a group of people - a community - who believe that we can make a difference to the people and places that are precious to us. We discuss raising future-ready leaders, climate, and the long view on the Future of Work.

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I want to thank each of you who reached out with messages of condolence after last week’s newsletter share about my uncle. My tender heart is cradled by your support pouring in from all ends of the globe.

Stay healthy. From there all else becomes possible.
Karena