How Do I Know I’m Alive?
Read time: 3 minutes
Welcome to My Musings, a (usually) weekly newsletter where I share what’s been impacting me lately, what I’ve been thinking about, and actionable ideas to help you navigate the career and life transitions that might be coming up for you.
Today, in short:
Musing: How do you know you are living?
Quote: “Change is external, transition is internal.” William Bridges, Transitions.
Word: “Saboteur”
The Man Who Hadn’t Realized he had Died
In Søren Kierkegaard’s 1849 “Sickness Unto Death” (yes, I know - a truly uplifting title), he describes a man who reads his own obituary in the newspaper and is shocked because he did not know he had died.
This, of course, can’t actually happen in real life. Not yet, anyhow.
But, even so, what does the story invite us to consider?
It’s said that Kierkegaard uses this story to challenge individuals to wake up from their metaphorical death and start living genuinely, making conscious and deliberate choices that reflect their true selves.
I think that that’s certainly part of it.
I also think the story is a lesson in a call to action in life.
When he sees the obituary, that is the call to him to ask:
“What am I doing?”
“Am I paying attention?”
“How am I serving myself?”
This story definitely emphasizes the idea that many people go through life without truly living.
And that can suck.
But, it also reminds us that there is always a time to catch that pattern, and then make a change. Sometimes small changes, sometime big. But, a change is always available to us, so long as we ask the right questions to know how and to what to make the change.
In sum:
Kierkegaard’s story tells of a man shocked to read his own obituary. This story challenges us to awaken from metaphorical death, live genuinely, and make conscious choices. It prompts us to ask, "Am I truly living?" and emphasizes the importance of recognizing life's patterns and our power to change them.
Your Next Steps:
Wondering if you’re really living? Here’s a practice to try out that might get you started on seeing how you can step into more of your own life.
For a couple of weeks, pick a few times a day (morning, noon and evening, let’s say) to ask yourself the following questions. See what comes up. Make notes. Notice if there are patterns.
In the past few hours, what has made me feel larger? How did I know?
In that same period of time, what has made me feel smaller?
In what ways have I contributed to both?
What have I learned through this reflection and how can I use it going forward?
Word of the Week
The word "saboteur" originates from the French term "sabot," meaning wooden shoe. Workers threw their shoes into machinery to disrupt operations, giving rise to the term for someone who sabotages.
Are you throwing shoes into your own machinery?
Quote of the Week
“Change is external, transition is internal.” William Bridges, Transitions.
The internal process of transitioning (between careers, relationships, identities, life phases and so on) is distinct from and often more challenging than the external changes themselves.
Turn inwards to figure out how to deal with those most challenging of external factors leading to change.
Want to Dive Deeper?
I work with teams and individuals to discover their deeper purpose, navigate difficult transitions and answer the call to vocation.
If you want to talk about what’s coming up for you, get in touch.
I hope this was helpful for you. See you next week.
