Life Is Short So Start Living Each Glorious Day with More Intention
Pay attention and stand still right now as the world moves at warp speed around you. Look within yourself and ask this: how can you inhabit the life you have more fully?
As you ponder this, I’d like to introduce you to someone whose life stands as one possible response to this question.
Meet Tyler Trent.
Tyler died on New Year’s Day but left so much of himself behind. I didn’t personally know him, but he is now one of my heroes. And, I hope he’ll inspire you, too.
Here was a college student, with near perfect SAT scores, attending Purdue University on a presidential scholarship. His passion was sports writing. He loved covering sports, digging into the analytics and exploring the behind the scenes drama. Most of all, he loved his Purdue Boilermakers.
Tyler was struck not once, but twice in high school with a rare form of bone cancer. But nothing was ever going to stop him from attending college at Purdue. Once in college, the cancer came back yet again. But he steadfastly attended every Boilermaker game he could, even camping out to make sure to secure the best seat possible in the student section.
Never was he bitter nor was he pessimistic. “No,” he said, “as long as you rely on your faith, things will work out.” And he lived the way he spoke. He handled all the setbacks he faced—and there were plenty—with a grace and wisdom that defied his age, and most certainly defied his circumstances.
Tyler’s overwhelming response to his illness was an unquenchable thirst to give to other kids who suffered from pediatric cancer. Everything he did was focused toward that end. All the while knowing he likely would never live to see the fruits of his work. He unselfishly left a legacy that other kids could benefit from.
Vision and Determination Shaped Tyler’s Life.
He never stopped dreaming.
He never lost hope.
He just kept moving onward.
He accomplished so much in his short life. Tyler wrote a book. He raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer. He accepted award after award for his courage and contributions. Many even believe he was responsible for Purdue’s unbelievable upset of Ohio State last year. That’s because the Purdue football team was playing for something far bigger than the game. They were playing for Tyler.
He was able to use his platform so effectively to raise awareness for pediatric cancer because he was focused on the impact of his actions.
As you think about living more fully, you can learn a lot from Tyler Trent’s simple actions…
- Be Yourself
It is your spirit that matters most (not how much you know, or what you have accomplished).
- Maintain a Positive Nature
Staying positive inspires others to act (not by how much you are suffering, or that you are a victim of circumstances).
- Be Vulnerable
It is powerful to be vulnerable (this is what connects us deeply to each other; it’s not a sign of weakness).
- Leave a Legacy
There is something way bigger than you (it’s about your legacy, and making a difference).
You see, no matter what your calling, Tyler demonstrates that you get to decide your vehicle for living your life to the absolute fullest.
Tyler Trent showed us beautifully just how to do it—with grace, humility, and incredible love.
Use his life as reminder to decide how you want to live your life with a complete presence.
Wake up to what is truly important; to lead gracefully with intention without any authority at all; and to live life fully, no matter what challenges you face.
