Sam Berns’ philosophy for a happy life
"I try hard not to waste energy feeling badly for myself, because when I do, I get stuck in a paradox where there's no room for any happiness."
Before he died from a rare disease in 2014, Sam Berns gave a touching TED Talk on how he found meaning in the little time he had left on Earth. At age 17, he had built his life around a three-pronged philosophy worth emulating:
Be OK with what you ultimately can't do, because there is so much you CAN do. Put things in the 'Can do' category.
Surround yourself with people you enjoy being around.
Keep moving forward.
It’s not a complicated approach. Asked what someone should know about him, he said: “That I live a very happy life.” This from someone who knew his time alive was limited. And yet he requested that nobody feel badly for him. He was happy. When asked about living with the challenges of Progeria, he said he chooses to spend most of his time on other things that he can control: enjoying music, comic books and Boston sports.
"I try hard not to waste energy feeling badly for myself, because when I do, I get stuck in a paradox where there's no room for any happiness,” he said.
It's not that he ignores that he sometimes feels badly or is going to die (we all are). He accepts it, lets it in and acknowledges it, then keeps moving forward doing the things he wants to do.
I share this because it’s a powerful reminder to routinely seek things that enrich our lives. A vacation with family. A 20-minute walk while calling a loved one. Hanging out with friends, taking good care of ourselves through diet, exercise and hobbies. If Sam Berns could, we all probably can take a few minutes today, for ourselves, and make a ‘can do’ list, surround ourselves with positive influences, and keep moving forward.
An example of a recent ‘can do’ list I jotted down. Feel free to share yours.
I can listen to the people around me, check in with them and support them.
I am healthy. I can walk, talk and move. Thus I can exercise every day, go for walks outside and meditate for five minutes each day.
I can choose to eat well every day to take care of myself.
I can choose to limit time on social media so I can devote my life to things that really matter. I can choose to win my day by starting each morning without my cell phone.
I am privileged enough to be able to read, so I can use the power of a daily reading habit to enrich my mind and learn new things.
Life is so precious, so I can choose to enjoy as much as I can, be indifferent to things that don’t go my way and embrace peace and joy each day.
Photo of the week: Green Lakes State Park, New York, at sunset last week. A beautiful, peaceful place full of peace and tranquility that helps clear the mind.
One good thought: “Don't take life too seriously. You are not going to get out alive.” — Elbert Hubbard
Be joyful and celebrate your gifts,
Matthew