A Foreshadowing
In 1867 Alfred Nobel invented Dynamite, a tool which would expedite development. It fueled the rise of modern industry. His discovery made it possible to build faster, dig deeper, and move the world forward. Yet, the same invention that helped build civilization also made it easier to destroy it.
In 1888 an explosion at one of his factories killed his brother, and the newspapers got it wrong. They thought Alfred was the one who died. The next day his obituary read, “The Merchant of Death is Dead.” Talk about a foreshadowing. Imagine reading your own eulogy and realizing the world saw you as the man who made killing more efficient.
This moment shook him. While his creation had given him power, what he wanted more was purpose. Realizing he wanted to leave a name for himself that mattered, he redirected his focus to rewrite the ending. He poured his fortune into something that would honor creation over destruction, recognizing those who advanced humanity instead of harming it. He created..... the Nobel Prize.
Alfred was hit with a two-fold highlight. First, he was reminded of the reality of death. It's coming for us all, but for most, it's so far out it rarely owns mental real estate on the daily. In addition, he was given an inside look into the conversations about him behind closed doors.
While we may not be privy to an opportunity yielding such a definitive feeling, we do have the ability to strategically learn from his experience.
There are aspects of life we can be pretty confident of taking place that may sit on our horizon but we rarely address. We can pull this horizon closer and make decisions that will benefit us in the same fashion Mr. Nobel did.
All of these may not apply to you, but at the same time, if you believe they will, then what kind of thought have you put into them?
Good Chance You will get married.
Marriage isn’t something to prepare for as much as it’s something to prepare through. Work on your patience, communication, and ability to stay curious about another person. The best relationships aren’t built on compatibility, they’re built on commitment. Know who you are before you try to share it.
Good Chance You will have kids.
Kids don’t just need provision; they need presence.
Plan for time, not just tuition. The hours you give them now shape the voice that guides them later. Don’t just think about what you’ll leave them, think about what you’ll leave in them.
Good Chance Your kids will grow up.
Your role will change, and that’s hard if you never built an identity outside being needed. Start investing in purpose beyond parenting. Build hobbies, friendships, and goals that belong to you, so when they grow into their own lives, you don’t lose yours.
Good Chance You will eventually lose your parents.
You can’t prepare for this grief, but you can prepare for the gap.
Ask questions now. Capture their stories. Don’t wait to say what you mean. One day, their voice will only live in memory, make sure those memories are full.
There are parts of this list I excel at and parts I'm still trying to find ways to be better. The ability to zoom out is a skillset worth mastering. Life has a way of drawing you into what's right in front of your face. Right now, today, at best, tomorrow. It's the five year view, the 25 year view, the...."eventual" that is worth giving your attention.
Today’s Forced Challenge: I want you to FORCE yourself to attack at least one of these challenges:
-
Marriage: Ask your spouse one question tonight that isn’t about logistics. Something real. Something that reminds you who they are, not just what needs done.
-
Kids: Schedule one thing this week they’ll actually remember. A late-night ice cream run, a walk, a talk...something that reminds them time with you matters more than things from you.
-
Parents: Call them. Ask about their childhood, their mistakes, or what they wish they’d done differently. Write it down. Those words will matter later.
-
Kids Growing Up: Picture your house quiet. Then ask yourself what kind of life will be waiting for you when they leave. Start building that life now, not after they’re gone.
-
Zoom Out: Step back from the noise and look at your life from ten thousand feet. Are you living in alignment with what actually matters ...or just managing what is urgent?
Life has a way of narrowing your vision and just focusing on today, or the fire in front of you. Most people wait for loss to make them grateful, for age to make them wise, and for endings to make them reflective. You don’t have to. You can zoom out now. You can prepare now. You can choose to build a life that won’t need rewriting when it’s over, because it was lived with intention while it still mattered.
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” — Warren Buffett
Share on Social: