ExTREME

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.― Steve Jobs

Back in March a dear friend from college lost her father unexpectedly. Due to the pandemic, no wake or funeral was held. Like a lot of things these days, death is different. And maybe it’s morbid of me, but I’ve been obsessing over the way life suddenly stops. Grief interrupted or altered is something I never wanted to behold and yet it’s a narrative known to many.

On Friday I spoke to my friend’s mother on the phone. I had the opportunity to say all the things I would have said at her husband’s wake. After we hung up I had myself a cathartic cry. It’s strange to write, but it felt good to mourn together.

Life is full of extremes. And while I know the rollercoaster ride is to be cherished, I also want to have a fundamental philosophy to guide me through every twist and turn. I’m going all in on extreme enthusiasm.

I crave and covet extreme enthusiasm. Believing in better, appreciating more, and doing my best are pillars to the process.

My friend’s dad was an extreme enthusiast. He did everything for everyone and did so optimistically and graciously. In his honor, and for the sake of dreamers everywhere, I am declaring myself an extreme enthusiast.

Wake up. Get busy. Do everything enthusiastically. Be proud of yourself. Let everyone see what love on fire looks like. For extreme enthusiasm and all that it brings, I am ready.