“We are going to write your eulogy today,” she said.
What kind of life did you live and lead?
What choices and decisions did you make?
Who did you impact?
How will you be remembered?
While at a recent business conference one of the speakers spoke about the cost of decisions. Having filters for decision making. And putting intent into thinking about the live we are currently living and leading and it’s end result.
She asked us to go to the end of our life and write our own eulogy.
And once done, we read them to our tables.
It was a powerful exercise for everyone in the room.
Tears were shed. Intentions were laid. Beautiful words spoken. People were moved.
And today, we are going to do something similar.
Below are two letters.
Written as a future self.
Read them over.
And ask yourself, which one will you write?
The choices we make today will determine the future of tomorrow.
Letter #1 –
As I reflect on my journey, the weight of regret hangs heavy on my shoulders.
It’s a journey marked not by triumphs and successes, but by excuses, poor prioritizing, missed opportunities, and squandered potential.
And as I reflect on the choices I’ve made – or failed to make – I can’t help but feel a profound sense of sadness and disappointment.
One of the most painful aspects of my journey has been my decision to walk away from my health and well-being.
Years ago, I made the choice to prioritize leaning into my excuses, comfort and convenience over the hard work and dedication required to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
I convinced myself that I didn’t have the time or energy to commit to regular exercise & mindful eating, and I allowed myself to slip into a pattern of complacency and neglect.
As a result, my health deteriorated, my energy levels plummeted, and my self-esteem suffered.
I found myself trapped in a cycle of lethargy and apathy, unable to muster the motivation or courage to break free from the shackles of my own making.
And as the years passed by, the weight of my choices only grew heavier, dragging me further into the depths of despair and regret.
One of the most painful realizations of my journey has been the sheer magnitude of missed opportunities. Opportunities to take control of my health, to reclaim my vitality, and to pursue my dreams with passion and purpose.
Instead, I allowed fear and self-doubt to hold me back, clinging to the safety of familiarity rather than embracing the uncertainty of growth and change.
- My weight climbed each year, slowly at first and before I knew it I didn’t recognize myself anymore.
- My whole esteem went into the dumps, I actually felt unworthy and I’d overcompensate in many unhealthy ways.
- I no longer looked in the mirror or wanted to be seen without clothes.
- My back hurt all the time, my posture became terrible. .
- I just feel generally lethargic, apathetic, and unhappy with myself.
- Everything declined fast and I experienced issue after issue with my health.
Perhaps the most agonizing aspect of my journey has been the realization that I can never turn back the clock.
I can never undo the choices I’ve made or reclaim the time I’ve lost. And while I know that dwelling on the past serves no purpose, the pain of regret is a constant companion, a bitter reminder of what could have been.
I wish I made better choices.
I wish I didn’t quit on myself.
Letter #2 –
As I reflect on my life, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride.
It’s been a journey marked by highs and some lows, triumphs and some setbacks, but through it all, one thing has remained constant – my unwavering commitment to showing up for myself, day in and day out.
One of the key pillars of my life has been my steadfast commitment to healthier eating and regular consistent exercise.
By making conscious choices to fuel my body with nourishing foods and engage in consistent physical activity, I have experienced profound strength, growth and transformations – both physically and mentally.
Navigating the complexities of modern life is no easy feat.
From demanding work schedules to family obligations and unexpected curveballs, there are countless distractions and obstacles that can derail even the most well-intentioned plans.
Yet, through it all, I have remained resolute in my determination to prioritize my health and well-being above all else.
Of course, the path to self-improvement has not been without its challenges. There have been moments of doubt, moments of weakness, and moments of temptation. Yet, through it all, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to staying the course and trusting the process.
At times, life provided a crossroads. Sacrifice short term comfort, or things I thought were serving me or things that were investing in my longevity, health and betterment. I always chose me.
By cutting out unnecessary expenses – like unnecessary shopping sprees, daily trips to the coffee shop, eating out so often or indulgent treats at the grocery store that weren’t serving my body – I would reinvest those resources back into myself, fueling my self-improvement.
- Body Weight: Regularly eating well and exercising helped me maintain my weight across the years with minimal fluctuations. My healthy eating habits and consistent weight training enabled me to preserve lean muscle tissue and manage my weight effectively.
- Strength: I have kept a lot of my strength across the years. Of course things changed each decade but regularly lifting weights kept all my muscles and supporting joints strong.
- Self Esteem: Both training and eating well kept me looking and feeling good. While nobody is perfect, I always felt good in my skin and proud of who I became, how hard I worked and the decisions I made most of the time.
- Confidence: I felt great most of the time, proud of how I treated myself and my body, and this reflected positively in other areas of my life.
- Functionality: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle allowed me to fully enjoy life’s adventures. Whether it was playing with my grandkids, hiking with my spouse, or exploring new hobbies, I never felt limited by what my body could do.
Even when faced with challenges like an injury in my 40s, I bounced back quickly and continued to thrive, thanks to my commitment to health and fitness.
- Mood: Mentally I always felt good! What a release you get through exercise. And a sense of accomplishment. I also learned early on how important movement is for mood, as well as eating well. By keeping my sugar intake low and prioritizing physical activity, I maintained stable energy levels and a positive outlook on life.
- Friendships: I have met and are still connected with so many of my dear friends who I got better with or who also worked out and led a healthy lifestyle. What a fun group. And there is something about doing hard things with people that just bring you closer together. I have built friendships for life.
- Health: I feel healthy inside and out. My doctor confirms that with my bloodwork and routine check ups, and I attribute this to my consistent exercise routine, balanced nutrition, and active lifestyle.
I feel a total sense of freedom. Whether it’s walking, traveling, or pursuing new hobbies, I enjoy the freedom and vitality that has come from prioritizing my health and well-being.
I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
Each day brings new opportunities for growth, new challenges to overcome, and new milestones to celebrate.
And through it all, I remain committed to bettering myself to enjoy it all.
Two very different letters.
Two very different life outcomes.
Culminated from the decisions, choices and actions of our today.
Letter #1 is life with regret.
Letter #2 is life fulfilled.
Let us never forget or lose perspective, our health is the door that opens all possibilities to our lives.
