Yesterday, like most Facebook ab(users), I came across the amazing story of Zach Sobiech. The clip is about 20 minutes long, and if you haven't seen it I would strongly suggest you find a comfortable place and a box of tissues before clicking on the link. I will let the video speak for itself, but Zach's story is both gut-wrenching and heart-warming. Though I hope we never find ourselves in a similar situation, the courage and strength displayed by Zach and his family should serve as a model for us all. Zach wants to be remembered as "a kid who went down fighting, and didn't really lose." Well, it's obvious that Zach "didn't really lose" as he chose to live his abbreviated life to it's fullest by loving, laughing, and experiencing each and every minute. Zach's story is overflowing with inspirational messages, but I wanted to highlight one particularly brilliant quote about what he believes is the meaning of life. Zach teaches us that, "It's really simple actually. It's just, TRY AND MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY." Amazing! Ignoring all his own personal pain and suffering, Zach selflessly reminds us about the importance of helping and caring for others, and not worrying so much about our own problems.
Zach's advice immediately reminded me of an intense and sweaty night I'd experienced at SoulCycle USQ in 2011. As I typically did on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I found myself riding with a dear friend... the beautiful and almighty Soul Instructor, Melanie Griffith. Side note - If you've never been in one of Melanie's SoulCycle classes... get there asap. Melanie's classes fill up in minutes so at Noon on and given Monday be ready to reserve a bike and experience the most inspirational workout the City has to offer. Mel has been a great inspiration in my life, and you'll definitely be hearing more about her!
Getting back to my story... as per usual Melanie's energy and playlist that night had the entire class pushing themselves harder than they thought they could. Her words, her moves, her emotion and fire were powering the room, but the class was struggling to keep up about three quarters of the way through. It was at that point that Melanie shared a personal story with us. Her daughter had recently asked her, "Mom, knowing what you know now, what advice would you give the middle-school version of yourself?" Well, Melanie thought about it briefly, and simply replied, "I don't shine if you don't shine." It was no surprise to me that uber-cool, inked up mom, and music guru had quoted a song in teaching her daughter a life lesson(from The Killers' 2006 mega-hit, "Read My Mind"). Well, the lyrical reference segued into the song, and in trademark Melanie style, she challenged the whole class to ride for each other, and for others... a "metaphor for life!" The energy in the room was off the charts, the class was able to persevere through another will-testing workout, and everyone left much stronger and wiser. Melanie, herself a cancer survivor, who was battling through treatments at the time, sacrificed her own valuable energy for us, and in return we did for her. Melanie has always done that, and still does that on a daily basis for her family, friends and countless followers.
I couldn't help but make the quick connection between Zach's message and Melanie's message. Learning about what Zach went through, knowing what Melanie has been through, and seeing them both make a decision to LIVE, simply by making those around them happier, inspires me to try to do the same. As Zach advises us, ... as long as you learn it, you're gonna make the world a better place."
*To make a donation in Zach Sobiech's Memory click here.