"I Wish I Would Have"

There is a profound awakening that occurs when we delve deep into our own understanding of self. Sadly, many among us choose to skim the surface, never pausing to truly explore not only who we are at our core but also why we exist.

My personal journey of this gradual awakening spanned over 15 years, and it all began with a chance encounter with a wise 93-year-old man. In the brief moments we shared, he imparted five words that would forever alter the course of my life and set in motion a transformative process. Those five words were, "I wish I would have." In the course of our enlightening conversation, this elderly gentleman revealed that he had spent his entire life conforming to the expectations of others, never pursuing the dreams that had filled his heart. Now, at the age of 93 and burdened by regret, he realized it was too late—a lifetime squandered in the pursuit of pleasing others.

As I left his company, I made a solemn promise to myself that I would not become a "wish I would have" person. This pledge opened my eyes to the restrictive conditioning I had unwittingly embraced. The more I examined my own existence, the more evident it became that I had been conforming to the desires and needs of others, all the while neglecting my own aspirations and yearnings.

I can empathize with why many choose to remain in slumber. In some ways, it's reminiscent of the movie "The Matrix," where emerging from the artificial dream world is a daunting endeavor. However, unlike the Matrix, those who opt for awakening are not met with a cold and desolate reality. Instead, the reverse is true—the cold and desolate world belongs to those who slumber. Upon my awakening, I discovered a world teeming with richness, brimming with life and adventure at every turn.

The 15 years following my awakening have been a global odyssey, and with each breath I've taken, I've felt myself becoming more alive and more attuned to the world around me. My consciousness has rekindled its connection with my subconscious mind in ways I could never have fathomed. In this harmonious reunion, my cognitive responsiveness flourished, as did my intuition, and, most importantly, my bond with emotional intelligence deepened.

As I reflect on this incredible journey, I am moved to pay tribute to that 93-year-old man and his five profound words. Without his insight, I would likely still be in that deep slumber, living a life marred by regret and void of true connection. Instead, I've embraced a life filled with extraordinary adventures. If I were to cease living this very day, I could honestly say that I have lived a life of profound richness and contentment.

Now, I find myself yearning to embark on a fresh journey—one that has been shaped by the multitude of experiences I've gathered over the span of my lifetime. This new path is not about attempting to rouse those who still slumber, but rather about extending a compassionate hand to those who, much like me, have sensed the presence of uncharted possibilities in life. In essence, my newfound purpose is to assist them in becoming vibrant adventurers in their own right, nurturing their inner spark of curiosity and exploration.

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