I want to share with you that even though I've been sharing positive posts on social media and doing Zoom webinars and writing this newsletter to encourage others, I'm struggling some days as well.
There are times I get sad at the loss of life, jobs and all we're going through. There are moments I long for what life was like just six weeks ago.
People think I'm "Mr. Positive" because of the
books I write
and speeches I give, but I'm actually a pessimistic optimist.
At first, I get down about the situation. But then I find an eternal hope that keeps me going. I turn off the news and then turn my head towards the heavens. I pray a simple prayer. "I trust in you God." This brings me peace. On my own I'm fearful. With God I'm faithful.
I don't want to live in fear. I want to live a life of faith, even now more than ever.
Fear says you are done. Faith says the future will be won!
I watched my mom take her last breath in a hospital 13 years ago and my dad died on a ventilator 3 years ago. When you lose your parents, it makes you think about your life and how you want to live it. It makes you realize how temporary it is. Whether we live 20,40 or 80 years it ends at some point. It's all temporary. So why are we so afraid?
My friend Ryan Holiday taught me a Latin phrase,
Momento Mori,
which means, "you will die." It's a phrase that is meant to remind each of us that the reality of life is death and once you remember this you can stop pretending that you will live forever and start
living life fully
today.
I know what's going on is scary. I know the images on the television wreak havoc on our minds and souls. I know fear is at an all time high. But I also know that a fear filled life isn't living. This is why, now more than ever, I want to encourage you to choose faith.
Not tomorrow... but right now, in this moment. As we go through this it will be a moment by moment choice.
Navy SEAL's who make it through Hell Week are the ones who break down their time into moments, not days. They focus on the task at hand. They focus on the NOW. They strive to make it till mid-day. Then they strive to make it to nighttime. Then they try to make it to breakfast. Then they do it again. The ones who don't make it look too far ahead into the future. They dream of the end and lose hope in the struggle today.
I want to encourage you to keep faith and hope alive in your most difficult moments. Focus on the task at hand each day. Strive to be productive and creative. Something great will come out of this for you. I truly believe that.
Don't look backward and think about what could have been. You might keep thinking how this virus stole the great year you were having and going to have. I know I’ve struggled with this. That's a recipe for depression and despair.
The truth is we don't know what would have been. Instead we need to focus each moment creating what will be.
It's okay to be fearful. As this pessimistic optimist can attest, it's very normal. But then you can choose to be faithful!
This is how you will overcome and ultimately thrive!
God bless you,
Jon
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