Wake Up and Live!

​Henry James once wrote: “Live all you can, it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you had your life; if you haven't had that, what have you had? What one loses, one loses make no mistake about it. The right-time is anytime that one is still so lucky to have, LIFE!”​​

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Dear Why Team member,
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How do you choose to live your life when you wake up in the morning? Do you live in vision or in circumstance? This question is often asked by Dr. Kevin Elko. Isn’t it easier to choose to live the circumstance rather than the vision, especially when the circumstance is not a positive one? No one asks for character building experiences, but in hindsight we can see how challenging moments in our lives have come to serve and mold us. So, during rough times, we need not look back to the moment we got hurt but forward, to the opportunity to improve the situation for us and everyone involved; yes, even the ones that hurt us. Consider being a leader and leading your life with a positive and humble attitude.


One of Simon Sinek’s famous quotes is: "Leaders think differently, believe differently and challenge the status quo". One need only observe what the majority is thinking and challenge that status quo to be in the mind of the leader. The leader knows there is a way and it's often the road less traveled. And only the leader will dare take the challenge because the leader has and believes in the vision of a better outcome. What do you lean into during difficult times? Where do you place your faith and confidence? And do you have these qualities when others need them most?


As members of the Why Team, we are each called to lead, especially in times of uncertainty - be it for a given individual or for a larger collective.
If you have the ability to comfort just one other person, you are in a position of leadership. When What-and-How questions appear to fail us in the short term, lean into the "Why". And, as shared in the previous Why Team Weekly, consider in moments of doubt, your self-efficacy. You have been through tough times before. What did you learn? And how may that lesson serve you and others today. Use your imagination to bring meaning and hope to the lives of others. Life is always to be celebrated, "Where there is life, there is hope" - Stephen Hawking.


Don’t be the shadow, but the one in whose shadow others want to be. In figure-skating, we see couples match each other’s moves almost perfectly that each might be the other’s shadow. Bring forth your hope, confidence and belief in the face of adversity and you will find a greater purpose in your life. Be the one that projects optimism and gives hope to the ones around you, encourage them to be your partner, and follow you, just like in figure-skating.


Serving another in their time of need is a healing balm, both for them and for you. Fewer things reveal the meaning of our lives than those times when we can be of support and encouragement to our fellow man.
The Why of our lives is best found in the most trying times of our lives.
Live in vision, not circumstance, see the possibilities and opportunities that adversity has revealed - including and maybe most importantly - to be more of what others need now. Live and love all you can, it's a mistake not to.  

Make it a great week,



Steve Luckenbach