When the closing paragraph of the story of your life is written, what is the part of the tale that will be most remembered?
What coaching has taught me is that not only do we have a story to tell, we are the author of this story. We either live by design or default.
If we are living by default, it is a choice but it is the choice to have our life happen to us and, at best, react.
When we live by design, we consciously choose our actions and we respond to both planned and unplanned circumstances out of awareness. It is 
the difference between playing the role of the puppet or the puppet master.
If you fully embraced the responsibility of being the author of your own life, what kind of possibilities would open up to you?
If you stood right now at that final paragraph of your life story and looked back, what memories, experiences and people would you want to populate the most important moments? Where would you be investing your time and energy?
When people hear my story, not the story of my loss, but the story of my life I often receive the comment that it seems I’ve lived ten lives already. Sometimes there is an undercurrent of ‘she had it easy’ or ‘she was lucky’.
The reality is I worked hard for the opportunities I received. When a door was opened, I didn’t just walk through…I ran. I didn’t wait for someone to hand something to me. I asked questions and uncovered what it would take to achieve a goal I set, then got down to the business of making it happen.
When the crappy stuff happened, like losing my mother when I was just seventeen or going through Gary’s cancer diagnosis and his death, like most people, I had some tough moments. Somehow, I always managed to pick myself up and get back to living again.
Mostly I drew on my athletic and performance training…no matter what, keep going and even when you don’t feel your best…keep going. Being coached as a child gave me the tools to create a what’s next no matter the circumstance. Being trained in the healing arts helped me honor and work through the emotional challenges. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t luck.
I’ve always wanted an extraordinary life filled with unique experiences. I know that without working with my coach to turn my dream of coaching others into a reality, I would have had regrets. I wouldn’t be doing what I love. I use the support of my coach to keep me on track and in action to living the biggest life I possibly can for however many days I have on this earth.
When the final paragraph of my essay is written, I won’t be disappointed. Will you?
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Nice post, Tambre — Excellent reminder of living life fully, without limitations or regrets. Inspiring, thank you!
Great article!
These points really jumped out at me:
- we are the author of this story. We either live by design or default.
- If you fully embraced the responsibility of being the author of your own life, what kind of possibilities would open up to you?
- to create a what’s next no matter the circumstance.
THANKS
Great, Jan…grab that red pen and rewrite those places calling to you to up your game! Thanks for highlighting key points.
While many might think this is a morbid post, it’s a good reminder that living consciously and in the present are far more important that we may realize. I’ve learned it’s harder to abdicate my responsibility since I’ve been a solopreneur. My life ebbs and flows based on the decisions I make, not some nameless entity that pays me every week. I work hard to not view my life with regret, but gain knowledge from the intentional and unintentional learning experiences that have come my way. My goal is to leave this life with a smile, warm memories and no regrets.
It is wonderful you’ve found your spark and motivation to live without regrets from your choice to become a solopreneur. I’m interested to know what about the post is morbid. First of all, we cannot presume to know what many may think or how they define morbid. Morbid to me is the websites out there with autopsy and accident scene photos. It is true that I dare to talk about subjects that are not necessarily comfortable to address. But if writing about tough topics moves one person into action to live with passion, on purpose it is worth creating uncomfortable moments for my readers. I appreciate the opportunity to address what may have been an unspoken thought by others. Facing topics such as death and our mortality can be confronting. I intend to continue to challenge and confront my readers as I believe they have the emotional intelligence to look past any fears and pluck the inspiration from my writing to live as large a life as possible. I so admire your courage, Lisbeth and the opportunity for such a meaningful dialogue.
Tambre, this is a great story that gives readers ambition to take control of their life. I heard someone once say, when you are gone, what will your legacy be? What will people remember of you? I think of that regularly and act accordingly to leave good memories behind. At one point in my life I did live by default, no longer! It’s the tough moments in our lives that should lead us to live a more meaningful life.
with your permission, I’d like to share this article on my blog today. I feel it fits perfectly with bridging the gap of my theme this week and next week.
Tambre:
What a great reminder! We have the control because we can always choose our reaction and our attitude.
I used to be the puppet but everyday I move closer to the master’s chair. Thanks for a terrific reminder
Legacy building is a concept I use with my clients regularly. When we understand that it occurs every day in the words and actions we take, it becomes a powerful tool for awareness. I love how you “act accordingly”. Moving from default to conscious choice allows us to access so many incredible aspects of inspired living. Thank you for sharing about your personal shift. It would be an honor to have you share this with your readers!
Ohhhh…..I love “the master’s chair”. That’s a powerful image. Thanks for adding this to the post.
Hi Tambre,
You know my story and I will definitely not be disappointed. It’s wonderful that you are sharing your story because it shouldn’t take something tragic for us to live our lives as an author. It’s not easy to be the author but at the end of the day, what you have created will be worth all the effort.
Yes, Diana…you know the value of taking the lead in your own life. An amazing tale with more to come. Living boldly beyond the box is a gift to yourself and others! You rock.
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