Illusion of having something to lose

When we die, we leave everything behind. We won’t have anything that we can take with us, only regrets. We regret not doing more than we attempted. We don’t lose anything because whatever we have are mere transient possessions that we don’t truly own. You can’t lose what you never truly have.

Legacy

What we leave behind is more important than what we possess in our lives. Make full use of every waking moment to leave a legacy. Do things that have a lasting positive effect on the people around us. Create things that can help others in one way or another. A platform to provide service. A work of art to inspire others.

It doesn’t even have to be something grand. It could be something ordinary but meaningful to your loved ones. Smile more or show kindness where ever you can. Be the source of happiness to the friends around you. Or you could be the grouch but staunchly loyal friend. Be who you truly are, because that’s why your loved ones stick around.

What truly matters depends on what you define as the meaning of life. It is something that validates our being. It is why we are alive and hence we need to pursue it while we live.

Illusion

Often, we get so caught up with the misconception that we will lose what we have, especially if we hang on too loosely or take a risk. We are afraid of hurting our reputation and image. We take pains to keep it the way we want others to perceive us and in doing so paralyse ourselves from taking action.

“Remembering that you are going to die, is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking that you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Steve Jobs

Big things require bold moves.

If we are so caught up with what we have, we can’t reach for what we don’t have. Grasping a ball in both hands to ensure we don’t drop it makes it hard for us to catch another ball. Holding it in one hand and risk dropping it means we might have a chance of catching another ball.

Sure, we might drop one and miss the other, and end up with nothing. Or we might drop one and catch the other. Or in the ideal world, end up with both balls in our hands.

Courage

Dare to risk. Of course, don’t risk rashly. Make informed decisions and take calculated risks. Push myself out of my comfort zone and reach for the stars. Don’t remain in comfort just so you won’t lose what you have.

Fortune favours the bold. The braver we are, the less regrets we’ll have.

Even if you give your best, you might need to fail 100 times to succeed once. Look at it on the flip side. Keep doing your best and accept that you will fail 100 times before you get what you want. If success comes earlier, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

It’s just like taking photos. You won’t get good photos each time you take a shot. But you need to keep making the shots to end up with a decent photo. Of course, this doesn’t mean you spray and pray. Give your best in each attempt you make.

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Ask yourself, would you rather experience failure than regret not trying? Think of what is the worst that can happen? Are you able to stomach that outcome?

You want to quit your day job to chase your dream but you are afraid of leaving the comfort of a stable income. But what is the worst that can happen? Fail and end up using up your savings? Money comes and goes. You can always make that money back.

Time

I believe the only thing we have to lose is time. Focus on what is important. Your attention and presence are manifestations of your time. What you choose to spend your time to pay attention to. With whom and where you choose to be present to pass time.

Time that only goes forward. You can’t turn back time.

“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

Each second you spend afraid to make the next move is one second that will never come back.

The hours available to us each day is finite. The time we have every day is limited. Invest your most valuable asset in what truly matters to you.

Awaken

It doesn’t matter if you find yourself trapped in the misconception that you have something to lose. Realisation is the first step out of the illusion. Acknowledge that you have nothing to lose. Chase your dreams. Pursue your goals.