A Life Well Spent…

I learned the tragic news that a client/colleague/friend of mine had passed away this past Monday. He was only 30 years old and so full of life. Frankly, it is hard to fathom that someone so young and exuberant, who was only just beginning to realize his professional and life potential, would leave us so soon. Navid Azadi was a good man. Maybe he knew his time here on earth would be limited because he seemed to pack so much into such a short period. In the brief time we knew each other, I learned a lot from him and wanted to share these lessons so others can benefit from a life well spent:

• Live life to the fullest; don’t put off what’s important to you today until tomorrow, because the window of opportunity may close before you know it.
• View the world as full of opportunity rather than strewn with obstacles; you’ll be amazed by how much more you can accomplish with this mindset.
• When push comes to shove, always bet on yourself; it’s better than having your fate in the hands of others.
• Don’t be shy about seeking advice and guidance from others who will help you advance your personal and professional agenda.
• Always seek out new relationships while also nurturing the old ones that matter to you. In the end, it’s the people you surround yourself with that define your life.
• Self-awareness is a critical part of personal growth.
• Don’t avoid difficult conversations; honesty and courage in communication will prevail if your intentions are pure.
• Invest time and energy in your passions; it’s important to be good at what matters to you.
• Don’t get pushed into a box and continue a path that’s not working for you; be willing to risk the uncertainty of new beginnings.
• Enthusiasm matters in life; positive energy is infectious and will rally others to your cause.
• It’s okay to be vulnerable to those closest to you; they will respond in turn, and both of you will grow as a result.
• Never forget the importance of having fun and being spontaneous; we are meant to enjoy the ride.

There is so much more I could say about this exceptional human being. Of course, no person is a saint or devoid of faults – we are human, after all. However, I do believe we all have a purpose and something to share in this world, regardless of how much time we have. In fact, those whose lives are unfortunately cut short can be even more instructive. It was a privilege to have shared some of Navid’s life journey. I am confident his spirit will live on through many people. I wish you well on your journey and hope you spend some time reflecting on the points above – they are lasting gifts from a life well spent.