Barely able to breath on his own (oxygen tank by his side). Struggling to get a full sentence in before coughing...

...He insisted on talking with the mechanic who was working on his car (for a good 45 minutes).

Outdoors on a cold (for Houston), misty day.

Even as his body was giving out.

Even though he was laboring to breathe.

That was my grandfather, Charlie, as he battled an incurable, fatal and brutal disease (ALS).

But he and the mechanic had a long-standing relationship he wasn’t about to ignore.

Charlie knew that happiness is a choice. And he chose to BE happy.

Every. Single. Day.

And no, it wasn’t an easy choice to make.

I honestly didn't get it back then. But I've since come to realize that Charlie lived by a few simple rules that empowered him to choose.

Rules that I am sharing with you today.

Rule 1: Rely on - and trust in - a higher power.

This rule won't be popular with everyone but the truth is this...

Charlie was a Christian (as am I). He relied on and trusted in God. This enduring faith sustained him through the toughest times.

Whatever your faith, rely on and trust in your higher power. It’s what will enable you to dig deep and keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way.

Don’t have a higher power to believe in?

I am not here to proselytize to you but will ask you to consider exploring what yours could be. And choose what you want to take from this particular lesson to make it your own.

Rule 2: Prioritize people over everything else.

What Charlie knew was that belonging breeds purpose. And it’s not just about feeling like you belong to your family or close group of friends. It’s deeper and more expansive.

Belonging means feeling like you're not alone or an outlier in this world.

Charlie understood that every human has value. No one person is more important than another. And you can learn from anyone.

Which is why he prioritized people and ensured he was fully present with them.

This simple rule is powerful because it doesn’t just breed purpose and belonging for you but does the same thing for those you give your attention to.

It also makes you more inclusive - for real. Something society needs more of these days (instead of inclusive talking points that are mere window-dressing).

Rule 3: Be disciplined.

We often think of discipline as a required trait for consistency in order to achieve your goals.

That’s a too-narrow view of discipline and its purpose.

Your brain likes to get distracted, short-cut things and keep the status quo.

• No matter how much you want something, it doesn’t want to do the work.

• No matter how unhappy you are, it doesn’t like change.

• No matter how much injustice you see, it doesn’t want to get involved.

Discipline is the thing that will help you be the person you want to be and live the life you want to live. It’s a positive (not a negative).

Be disciplined in holding yourself to high standards. Standards that align to your values.

Thinking of discipline in this way will help you to:

• Be more patient with yourself, your results and even other people.

• Act courageously for yourself, others and society.

• Stay focused on what’s truly important.

I only had 25 years with my grandfather. Yet he had a tremendous impact on my life. He was - and continues to be - my biggest role model.

Charlie understood that what makes life worth living is rooted in simple, human truths.

My final question is this, Friend:

Are you ready to choose?

XO,

Heather