Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Some years ago a beautiful young girl named Mia, suffered a stroke. Strokes are tough at any age but it always seem so cruel when someone is so young. Mia was dynamic, resilient and positive. Despite what she had been through and the difficulties she was living with Mia managed to live her life as positively as she possibly could and was an inspiration to others. As where both her parents and siblings who dedicated themselves to her wellbeing. Sadly last week Mia lost her life and my heart goes out to her loving family at this difficult time.

Among the many legacies that Mia has left behind her is her book In the Blink of an Eye: ,  In recognition for all her charity work and campaigning Mia was also nominated for Merseyside Women of the Year 2019 and was announced the winner on Friday. 

I have often shared the awe that I have for the para olympians and their remarkable resilience and fortitude. That they, despite their injuries and disabilities, find the inner strength to carry on and live successful lives. Mia taught me and many others the same thing. When I think about such amazing people I cannot help but compare them with the amount of people that I deal with who moan and complain. Those that get so up tight about things that, in the grand scheme of things, mean very little.

As Ed pointed out in the podcast, such things may be little to us but they are big to the person experiencing them. I get that but I also have the feeling that with a little mindful awareness these things can be seen with clearer perspective as events to overcome.

In the rich west we have become accustomed to getting what we want when we want it. We have become impatient and intolerant and expect what we want right now and become offended when we can not have it immediately.

Ed and I talked about Stoicism and Stoic philosophy. My favourite Stoic is Epictetus who stated very clearly that none of us are ever affected by events, this is never the issue. We are never affected by not what happens to us but we are affected by our response to what happens to us. This is our choice and this is called mindfulness. It is our choice to feed the positive or the negative.

Despite the odds people like Mia decide to feed the positive and with the help of those around her to get the best from her life, truly inspirational. We have the same choice. Will we moan about our situation or will we rejoice in all the good things that we have and what happen to us. Remember, whatever we feed will grow and whatever we starve will die – it is our choice.

An extract from a post by Mia’s friend on social media:

Even though we have lost Mia, her spirit will live on in all of us. Mia has taught us how to deal with adversity, to give generously to those in need, to inspire people to be the best versions of themselves, not to take tomorrow for granted, to live life to the full, but most importantly, how to be a nice person!

Take care, be happy and don’t sweat the small stuff they don’t really matter.

Sean x

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