Knocking On Death's Door

One hot night, while lying in bed, something didn’t feel right.

He started sweating profusely and having excruciating chest pain. He collapsed to the ground… body numb… parts of him becoming paralyzed. So he crawled to the door and began yelling for help.
Turns out, he was having a life-threatening heart attack.

This was actor, Martin Sheen, while filming the movie Apocalypse Now in the thick jungles of the Philippines. As he crawled outside screaming for help - a calmness washed over him. He started imagining himself floating over a lake.

For a second, he thought he was dead.

Then he realized, he wasn’t ready to die. He decided right then he was going to fight with ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING he had. He reached out, ripped a hunk of grass out of the ground, and took a whiff. This was his proof that he was still alive.

When the crew found him, they thought he was a goner. One of the crew pilots wasn’t ready to give up on him though. So he tossed him into a helicopter and flew him to a nearby hospital (despite risking both of their lives by flying in dangerous 30-40 knot winds)

When they landed at the hospital, they wheeled him into the ER. He was fading fast. When his wife Janet got there, the doctors shook their heads and said he probably wouldn’t make it. But she didn’t buy it. She knew her husband was stronger than that. And she knew above all else, he needed her support, he needed her strength.

When Martin’s eyes, opened, she smiled and told him,
“It’s just a movie babe! It’s only a movie!” 

In a heartbeat, that single statement reframed the entire situation in his mind. It put a whole new spin on the situation. This jolting remark convinced him that he could handle this… everything was going to be okay… and he would beat this.

He swears that his wife’s statement saved his life.

What’s the lesson?

We can’t underestimate the power of our support. The power of telling someone I’m here for you... I’ve got your back… we’ll make it through… I’m with you. And even though it may not always mean getting the desired result, it’ll always be appreciated (more than you’ll ever know)

Because we’ve all had someone whose small gesture… small praise… small show of support… small act of kindness… seriously meant the world to us.

That spark of support can reignite another person… reignite how they see themselves… what they are capable… give them a new-found strength to take on life. 

And in some cases changes their life forever.

Kelan Ern
The Renegade Life Coach

P.S. For many, passing the torch of support onto others can come naturally. But for ourselves, it’s a different story. Many people are their own worst enemy. Especially when they slip-up… let someone down… or make a little mistake. They are lightning fast to beat themselves up (More than anyone else could!)

​There are two ways to shift this. One is to break the stubborn pattern of perfection. There are 6 little-known tools for cracking the ice of perfection so it stops holding you back. So instead of being your own worst critic, you’ll begin to be your own best friend – and support yourself when times get tough. I know, hard to imagine. But it’s very possible when you have the tools to do so. 

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