“A radically inspired life means you embrace the lessons from your past, actively engage in the miracle of each moment, and ignite the limitless possibility of tomorrow.” – John O’Leary 

Pay attention to the verbs in this great quote.

EMBRACE the lessons from your past – whether you are winning or losing, you need to be learning.  And what we learn should be put to work to make things better. 

ENGAGE – one of the starkest pieces of feedback I ever received was when my 9th grade English teacher called me “apathetic.”  I had to look it up because I didn’t know what it meant.  It means “showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.”

That may have been true at the moment, but I sure didn’t like that as my identity.  As I reflect upon it, it might be where the concept of “happening to the world” was born.  I think if you’re going to be part of any team or organization, you ought to bring your effort and commitment every day.  We are the sum of our experiences, especially those that taught us something.  So, it stands to reason that you get the most out of every situation, if you are focused on making a difference. 

IGNITE – learning to embrace and to engage is a virtuous cycle.  Dan Fogelberg, a song writer, wrote these lyrics:

“The higher you climb, the more that you see.

The more that you see, the less that you know.

The less that you know, the more that you yearn.

The more that you yearn, the higher you climb.”

To paraphrase – from my perspective:  “The higher you climb, the more that you see.  The more that you see, the more that you know.  The more that you know, the higher you climb.”

Embracing and engaging is fuel for a better, more productive life.