Last week I was changed forever. On Sunday I spoke with John Hunt. I needed to get some last minute details for his bio because his episode of Discovering Courage would be airing that Thursday. I called him and he answered.
“Hi, John. This is Patricia. Do you have a few minutes to talk?” I asked.
“No, not really. We are in Portland and we are getting ready to ride the next leg of the charity ride for OEW.”
“Will you have time tomorrow or Tuesday.” I responded unaware of his packed riding schedule.
“No, we’ll be continuing our ride those days.”
So I seized the moment and said, “Well your episode is airing on Thursday, and I need a few key pieces of information for your bio. This won’t take long.” And I began to ask my questions.
The conversation lasted maybe five minutes, if that. He answered with great detail. To be mindful of his time I took down only the information at a high level, not asking him to repeat himself. Had I known that would be the last time we’d speak, the last time I’d get to know this information, I might have gotten all the specifics so I could more respectfully record the details of his service to the United States.
On Tuesday morning July 17 I started touting John’s Episode as “inspiring” and “one you won’t want to miss” on my Facebook page. By Tuesday afternoon I was announcing his death there.
Monday while John continued his scheduled ride in that Operation Enduring Warrior charity event, he had a fatal heart attack. John Hunt died doing exactly what he loved to do – helping people and tackling an athletic challenge.
We should all be so lucky.
The timing of his death and the timing of his Discovering Courage episode were not coincidental. I know this without a doubt. It was God’s divine timing. As sad as I am that his life was cut short and as sick as I feel about having joked about his past brushes with death during that recording, his untimely death has made his life even more meaningful now that his words of inspiration and encouragement were captured. They are a legacy.
I am inspired even more to eradicate the experience of living life clinging to the safe choices and simply going through the motions, wishing to be happy one day or waiting for retirement to finally start living. I’m fired up to help as many people as I can because living an authentic life filled with passion and dying while you are experiencing such a life has to beat dying while simply living an uninspired life filled with anything but meaning or happiness. I’m sure John would say that this is the case.
So I write this blogpost to ask you, “What is it that you feel, deep in your heart, you should be doing but are afraid to? What are you not pursuing because you can’t see a way forward to make that magical thing happen in your life?”
If you have a dream in your heart but fears, doubts, and thoughts of impossibilities fill your mind, if you feel stuck in doing what is expected of you, of what feels safe, contact me for your complimentary coaching session. Please don’t hesitate. Don’t let life pass you by! Do it now!
Click here to schedule your session today.
Patricia Brooks is a speaker, life purpose coach, and the author of Growing Bold: How to Overcome Fear, Build Confidence, and Love the Life you Live. She is the host of the Discovering Courage Podcast where each week she explores how ordinary people have managed to live extraordinary lives. Patricia is currently living in France, pursuing her dreams.
Photo Credit:Sammie Vasquez