How do you identify what is truly valuable enough to put out into the world?
Two men found themselves at the precipice of death:
The one says, I’m not ready to go. I still have so much to do.
The other says, I’m ready to go. I’ve lived a happy and fulfilling life.
What was the difference between the two?
The one who was reluctant, even at his death-bed, spent his life’s energy resisting what was happening. And, in his resistance he missed out on all there was that life had to offer.
The other who was willing, even at his death-bed, spent his life’s energy willingly accepting what was happening. And, in his willingness he experience all there was that life had to offer.
Whether you agree with the idea conveyed in this little story or not; the question of what is truly worthy of our consideration is the subtext being asked here.
When you’re taking your last breath, looking back on life, what value will you have left behind for the world? (I often find myself scrubbing old projects when I ask myself this question.)
The answer to this is not so simple when you’re looking forward instead of back. But there is an interesting thing that happens with you look forward through the lenses of willingness and reluctance.
The one in our story (Mr. Reluctant) will be reluctant to start small, reluctant to ask others to join him, reluctant to listen to feedback, and reluctant to refine his idea to make it more valuable to others.
The other in our story (Mr. Willing) will be willing to start small, willing to ask others to join him, willing to listen to feedback, and willing to refine his idea to make it more valuable to others.
Of the two, which do you think will make something worthy of being left behind?
