Imagine going for a routine checkup only to learn that you have a terminal disease.
You’re dying and have approximately 2 months left on this earth.
How would you live out those last few months?
Would you still live the same way you are right now?
I’m willing to bet things would change immediately and in a big way.
- The little stupid stuff in your life would cease to exist.
- You wouldn’t worry about what others thought of you.
- You would focus on things that truly mattered to you.
- You would free your mind to do important things.
- You would say meaningful things to the people you care about.
Here’s the thing: you ARE dying.
It could be today, tomorrow, or 25 years from now.
You never know.
They say that man’s greatest fear is death. I believe the greatest fear is not doing the things you had hoped to do before you die.
It’s time to embrace that fear and live a more purposeful life.
The Greatest Fear
As you sit on your deathbed today, what is your greatest regret?
- What is the thing you wish you had tried?
- What is the thing that you held back from doing?
- What is the thing you put off because you thought you’d have more time down the road?
- What is the thing you didn’t do because it scared you?
- What is the thing you truly want to do before you die?
Call it your Death Goal.
- It could be getting serious about attaining your black belt.
- It could be starting that business you’ve been wanting to build.
- It could be learning a language to the point where you can read a novel in that language.
- It could be actually getting in the shape you have told yourself you wanted to be in.
- It could be letting go of the beliefs that hold you back.
- It could be starting your own martial arts group to practice in a way that better suits you.
Whatever it is, you’ve got to start NOW.
Do not waste any more time.
Make the time to start immediately.
Look at the things you’re currently doing that aren’t serving you, and replace them by focusing on your Death Goal. Write it down and look at it as soon as you wake up and before you sleep.
My Motivation
My Death Goal is to create a Juyukai manual on how to live a purposeful life through the physical and mental practice of martial arts. A bit pretentious I know.
For years, I sat by and did nothing to move the needle.
I had tons of notes and ideas in my journal about what I wanted to do with it. But I always convinced myself I could start later when I had more time. After all, I was busy with GMB Fitness, preparing to move to the US, yada yada—you know, life.
Several years ago, while still in Japan, I posted a few videos on the Juyukai YouTube channel. It was random and I didn’t have a concrete plan or purpose. It’s only natural that I stopped doing it.
It wasn’t until I clarified my purpose that I realized that the Juyukai wasn’t just something I simply wanted to do; it was something I HAD to do.
That’s because my purpose in starting the Juyukai is, in fact, for my children.
With that in mind, I got serious about my Death Goal and started writing articles.
If I were to die today, I would want my children to have access to my thoughts and ideas on martial arts and what it means to live a purposeful life, organized in a way that will help them think more deeply about how to live the life they want on their terms.
I have struggled for years with the ideas and concepts I share here in the Juyukai. While I’m still working to figure things out, I write hoping it will help make my children’s martial arts and personal life journey easier.
The thing is, I have never considered myself a writer.
I was always scared of what people would think of my writing and found excuses for not starting.
Changing how I looked at things and focusing on my Death Goal made me realize that not sharing my thoughts is a disservice to my children.
That’s why I no longer worry about what others think about my writing.
Reframing my purpose to make it for my children has ignited my desire to organize my thoughts and write consistently.
This has been the driving force behind the daily posts I publish to Threads, the midweek musing newsletter I publish every Wednesday, and the articles that go out every Saturday—and that is just what I publicly post!
Behind the scenes, I have been working on a book based on Juyukai’s physical and mental practices.
None of this would have happened if I had not considered the possibility that I might not be here tomorrow.
The Only Time Is Now
As you contemplate the inevitability of your mortality, consider this: there is no better time than the present to pursue what truly matters to you. Every passing moment is an opportunity to take action, to move closer to your aspirations, and to live a life of purpose.
Reflect on your deepest desires.
What is the one thing you yearn to accomplish before your time on this earth concludes?
What is your Death Goal?
It could be a monumental ambition or a seemingly trivial dream.
The only thing that matters is that it holds significance to you. Whatever it may be, embrace it wholeheartedly. Embrace the fear, the uncertainty, and the discomfort that accompany pursuing your Death Goal. Through these challenges, we grow, evolve, and truly live.
I urge you to seize this moment. You must act now because the only time that truly exists is the present.
As you take the first step towards your Death Goal, remember this: you are not alone. Draw strength from your purpose and seek support from those who uplift you.
As they say, in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.
So make each moment count. Embrace your Death Goal, and let it guide you towards a life rich with meaning, fulfillment, and purpose.
Awesome. I spent an hour FaceTiming with my friend in Ukraine yesterday and then watched 20 Days in Mariupol last night…so the timing on this is spot on for me. Glad you’re writing a book. I’ am reconnecting with my writing practice as well.
This is GREAT to hear! And yes, I’m slowing working on this book. Scary but that’s a good thing.
Thanks so much for the dose of resonance and encouragement ~ Keep on Ryan, appreciate you!
Peter
Thank you so much, Peter!