Appreciate what you have

Today, a tragedy struck the National Football League, when San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman, Thomas Herrion, suddenly collapsed at his locker and died. He was only 23. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

This sad event highlights what I tell people all the time: appreciate what you have because at a moments notice, it can all be taken away. For example, my father exercised all the time and had a very healthy diet. He wasn’t overweight and took time to relax. Our family thought he was indestructible. One day, he noticed that when he was eating a banana, it kept getting stuck in his throat. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and passed away almost a year later. He was only 60.

You never fully appreciate someone until he/she is gone. That is how it will always be I suppose. It’s human nature. However, if you take time each day to remind yourself how short life is, it can give you a greater appreciation for the people you love and improve the quality of your interactions with them. I do this every day. Lastly, don’t assume loved ones (or even yourself) are invincible. This means you should also take some time out for yourself to do things you enjoy. That’s right, treat yourself. You deserve it!