First and foremost, prayers out to family, friends, and acquaintances of Dwayne Haskins. May he be at rest. A young life taken far too soon, so much more to do and be lived. The cliche of “this is bigger than sports” applies to the best and worst of situations that bring out the most palpable emotions in life, which seem to eclipse the sport in association to the person or event. This is one of those times.

Dwayne Haskins had a life to live, not a career to play out. We often view professional athletes on a different timeline. 32? His career is just about done. Still preforming at 45? Surely he’s slowed down and needs to retire. Whereas, in the “real world” that the majority of us share in business and entrepreneurship, it is viewed differently. 32? Congrats on finally getting your first legitimate promotion. 45? Congrats on 23 years of work, here’s to 23 more. They are mere mortals just like the rest of us. Real struggles, real pain.

So when a life is lost at just 24 it makes us all mourn, as humans. We all sort of take a step back, grieve, and are hit with the cold reality that this thing is finite. Hopefully through that we come to an epiphanic appreciation for what matters in our own lives. Because, selfishly or unselfishly, it all will come back to yourself.

So Rest Well, DH. You will be missed by friends, family, teammates, fans, and also all of mankind.

This brings me to my second item. A Happy Birthday wish, to a man, now “colleague”, who exemplifies dwelling in a state of appreciation for the little things in life, Kelley Peter. A best friend at the mountain top of best friends, 24 years old he is killing it folks.

He had the courage and wherewithal to realize what direction he thought he wanted for his career he didn’t, and pivoted. Didn’t miss a beat, didn’t look back, and did not shudder. And if he did, which is natural, he didn’t show it. No, he was as cool as a cucumber just like his Cincinnati Heart Throb Joe Burrow. I hope you know we all appreciate and love you Kelley, keep it up man you’re going to have an abundance of happiness if you keep living like you’re living. And no one can take that away from you. Hope you’ve been enjoying your day!

And for my third and final thought. Enjoy it.

“It” could be anything. But whatever you’re doing, as long as it is within your moral obligations as a human, enjoy it. There will always be tough times and dog days, but through that there is something to be gained. Once, you come out of whatever hardship, you will be stronger. Henceforth, you will appreciate the struggle, maybe even embrace it going forward. So with whatever you do Enjoy it. Because one day there will be no more. No more opportunity, no more triumph, and no more of this.

If there is one common theme of this entire post it is to have appreciation for you and your life. Happiness is a state of mind, not a destination; though, it is often tougher place to reach than any tangible endpoint.

“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” – Confucius