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It's not death we have to fear, it's not living.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

I once heard a speaker say, "It's not death we have to fear; it's not living." What a powerful statement. I don't know how many times I've had someone say, "I could never do that," about something I was doing. I'm not talking about skydiving or hang-gliding. I'm talking about living. 

Life is full of risk. Each one of us takes numerous risks everyday. I recently heard a statistic that was bizarre, but it illustrates how many risks surround us everyday that we aren't even aware of. The statistic was that you are less likely to be bitten by a shark in the ocean than by a human in New York City. The numbers were 69% more likely. Now, that is bizarre, but how many people walking around New York City are paralyzed by the fear that Larry the bitter is about to zone in on them? Probably zero.

When I was younger, I didn't think about risks, but I also didn't think about accomplishments. As I've gotten older, my vision of what I want my life to be has evolved and developed into something much bigger than my younger days. Some of that evolution involves risk, but without it, there is no growth or success. My biggest fear is arriving at the end of life realizing that I didn't live my life.

I don't want to always take the safe route, the easy way, the simple path. I want to challenge myself to grow and to experience more than I have. I want to know that I have squeezed every drop out of my life that I could. I come from a very risk averse family. When I left a great job at age 21 for a completely unknown future, my family went into full spastic mode. I was supposed to get the great job, work there 40 years and collect the gold watch and retire. That guaranteed life doesn't happen anymore.

Fortunately, I saw that writing on the wall many years ago and I took a risk. I've been self-employed most of my adult life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It can be scary, but so can riding the New York City subway if Larry the bitter is on it. Life is full of opportunity if you are willing to wade into it. I challenge you to not fear living, but embrace it. 

Comments (26)

James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Mike.

I live my life like there is no tomorrow.  At my age and with my family history there may not be.  Keep moving, don't stand still

Nov 18, 2018 02:57 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

I'm with you, James. 

Nov 18, 2018 05:12 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

excellent thoughts here


 

Nov 18, 2018 12:02 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Since I was a 5 year old kid, I had a natural inquisitiveness, touching, probing, moving and activating everything everywhere for what appeared to be no reason. That trait was/is annoying to most people as I found out growing-up never understanding "why" I was that way. Got into trouble (subjective) more often than not. I finally learned to harness & command this coveted trait so it serves & produces a specific result. This picture sums it all up...

Nov 18, 2018 07:34 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

This is something that I had always been afraid of. Dying before I really lived. I chose to live before I die. It beats the alternative.

Nov 18, 2018 09:21 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Mike,
It's a sad way to come to the end our life regretting all the things we wish we would have done!  Great message, Mike. 

Nov 18, 2018 09:29 AM
Angie King
Grason Homes - Huntington Beach, CA

Most people forget that growing old is a blessing.  We need to stop obcessing about little petty things and enjoy every minute.   

Nov 18, 2018 10:49 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

Amen, Angie. Not everyone gets the privilege of growing old. 

Nov 18, 2018 12:09 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Great revelation and this super takeaway: When I was younger, I didn't think about risks, but I also didn't think about accomplishments.

Nov 18, 2018 12:01 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Mike,

Congratulations on a well deserved featured post! Life is full of opportunities..you just have to recognize them and not be afraid to jump in and make things happen.

Nov 18, 2018 02:56 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Larry the Biter! Haha.

I was just thinking this very thing yesterday. My husband and I went for a hike in the woods. It snowed this week, and there was a combination of snow, ice and mush and we were hiking up a fairly steep incline with lots of rocks. It was slippery. I happened to think that my father-in-law would probably have been aghast at the risk we were taking of getting hurt. And I immediately thought, "but I'm not going to sit in my house afraid to do anything because life is risky!" 

I'm with you. Risk is everywhere, but the biggest risk is to live a life not taking any. Life is for living. Exploring. Doing. 

Love this post.

Nov 19, 2018 04:20 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393
  • Hello Mike - Perspective or something else?  Your post provides an interesting pause for thought and yet another meaning/ interpretation to "don't dilly dally". Or maybe that's the answer.
Nov 19, 2018 06:23 AM
L. Scott Ferguson
Ask4Ferguson - Your House-SOLD Name in Real Estate - West Palm Beach, FL
Sunny Florida Real Estate Professional

Awesome read Mike!

 

Get busy L-I-V-I-N or get busy Dyin...

 

Fire up and Blessings!

 

Fergie

Nov 19, 2018 08:42 AM
Angelia Bynum
Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors - Atlanta, GA
Realtor® serving all of Atlanta

I appreciate you writing this because am not living.  I am more concerned about the future than I am about right now.  Although some would think what I'm doing is being responsible; I am starting to believe differently.  Thanks for the inspiration.

Nov 19, 2018 05:09 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Mike, I'm grateful my parents always encouraged me to live life and try whatever I wanted too. Probably because they did the same. I'd much rather try and fail than work for someone else for 40 years. No risk, no reward is something I always live by. It's more fun that way. Larry the biter made me giggle, that's funny!

Nov 20, 2018 05:06 AM
Anne Corbin
Long and Foster - Lake Anna - Spotsylvania, VA
Serving Lake Anna & Central Virginia

This is a topic I have been pondering of late. I question whether I'm doing what I want to do because life is flying by and I want to make sure I'm living it the way that best suits me. I'm in my silver years, I guess, and I have nothing to lose so I might as well go for it! Loving life at 100 mph, that is  

Nov 20, 2018 06:19 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Love this post.  This reminds me of a time playing softball when I had broken my ankle. My mother saw me on the hide-a-bed, easier to get in and out of than my bed. She asked me, "Why do you keep doing this?"  I didn't answer at the time when I was 18.  Thinking back on it, for the same reasons I played till I was 36 or 37,  Slid head first into home plate.  I didn't care - I loved it and I played for the memories, the comradery, the good times, the wins and the losses.  I move a lot slower because of it these days but wouldn't trade any of my memories - or double plays! 

Nov 20, 2018 11:06 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

I love it, Jan. Good for you.

Nov 20, 2018 11:20 AM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

Sometimes, I realize that I tend to avoid moments that take me out of my comfort zone. I think, what if the worst happens to me? As you said, it's not living. I am now willing to take risks. I will not let the fear of failure stop me. 

Nov 20, 2018 11:48 AM
Jerry Murphy, CRS, SRES
Long Realty West Valley - Anthem, AZ
Anthem, Phoenix, and Scottsdale AZ Real Estate

Yes! That's my biggest fear is leaving this world not having lived life to its fullest.

Nov 20, 2018 12:47 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Taking risks...and failing...important learning lessons.  As I get older I think about not wasting a lot of time, I also think of what I will do when it's not real estate. I won't be sitting around the house all day, that's for sure!  Want to stay engaged in some way through volunteer work or part time job.  This job can be frustrating but it's very rewarding and challenging, always learning something new.

Nov 20, 2018 08:13 PM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

Everyone should be living an examined life.  It will help you realize more of the positive aspects of life.  

Nov 21, 2018 02:26 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You've presented some important food for thought, Mike. Thanks.

Nov 23, 2018 12:49 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Life is all about the choices we make and that includes dying too because we're all going to die someday, aren't we? Living fearlessly is all about taking calculated risks, knowing in advance the outcome of your risk taking.

The fear of loss is the reason why most people don't take risks, especially in business, however, with the best teacher or mentor providing the knowledge, skills and training, anyone can become fearless and achieve their goals and objectives.

The challenge is to take the first step, become fearless and as you journey through life, you'll achieve much more success than failures and remain fearless even when the end finally arrives.   

Nov 28, 2018 12:19 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

Well said, Kimo.

Nov 28, 2018 04:53 AM