Putting a smile on as many faces as we possibly can

A “Life-time Achievement Award” was just given to me last week by the Alex Ihama School of Greatness. Not only was I not expecting this at all, but I was so surprised that I could not find the words to thank the organization. For those who know me, would note that it is kind of unusual for me to not have anything to say.

I humbly accepted this award, and truly appreciate the beautiful way in which it was presented. What was really special for me to see were the words that were printed on it reading, “You are appreciated for your exceptional leadership, entrepreneurship and a sacrificial contribution to humanity”. But the truth is, even if those words do reflect what I have done for decades, it is also true that I have done it because that is what I love doing, that is my passion.

To provide leadership roles whenever it is necessary, to contribute to humanity every time I have a chance. That is in essence what I believe we are all here to do, placed on this earth to truly make a difference; to help, to contribute, to one way or another save lives, in every sense of the word. Even on a more simple level, to put a smile on as many faces as we possibly can!

Who are “they’?

Why is it, that only under extreme circumstances many people realize, what it is that is truly important? Only when there is an “ultimatum” on their life they see what is that truly matters, that truly counts.

You have heard it before: Mr. Jones has been given only six months to live, because they discovered he had cancer and the doctors said it was terminal. Now, what does Mr. Jones do? First, he starts thinking about his past, his memories, his life. He remembers his childhood when his mom and dad were there for him, his first year in school, the incident with the boy who wore glasses in grade three, his favorite teacher, Mrs. Douglas in grade six. He clearly sees in his mind those beautiful times he spent with his brothers, riding bicycles, playing football, camping, swimming, the joke they played on their neighbor which ended up being not so funny.

He remembers how going through high school was really a struggle because he was more concerned with friends, music and his family than his grades. He certainly remembers Betty, his first “unofficial’ girlfriend; how he held her for the first time, and this took months of trying, of going out, months of convincing her that he was “Mr. Right” for her. Even the feelings he had when holding her hand and walking together.

The first dance, his graduation ceremony, the photo session, the day he got his driver’s license, the minor accident he got involved in just three weeks later, his firs part-time job, the rock concert where he got seats in the tenth row with his brother. All of these were going through his mind when he suddenly felt a sharp pain his chest and asked himself: “what am I going to do now, when I only have six more months left to live?” What would you do? What would I do? Did you think about it or did you say, like most people “this is not going to happen”, this happens to “others”. Does it? Who are these “others”?

They are you and I.