The best of Morning Musely: We're not guaranteed tomorrow
Two things stopped me in my tracks over the weekend.
Trigger Warning: This post contains references to suicidal ideation.
The first was on Saturday.
I woke to read an instagram post from the teenage son of friends of ours.
He detailed his painful journey with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder. His bravery to talk about it - plus admitting to having suicidal ideation - was remarkable for someone so young.
Wise beyond his years.
He’s a smart kid and a compassionate one too. When our families hang out he’s the eldest and often the Pied Piper.
He’s just finished his HSC and wants to become a Criminal Barrister. While remaining optimistic about the future he is navigating the continual invasive thoughts that can enter his head.
His public display of vulnerability was remarkable.
The second was yesterday.
I heard the terrible news of Australia’s most famous modern marketer - Lisa Ronson - dying in an accident on her farm.
I know as an early subscriber here, you are most likely someone who has a connection to me through media and marketing circles. So I trust I’m not the one first sharing the news with you now.
Lisa was one of those people who made even a black and white profile picture glow. Her infectious smile radiated nothing but positive energy.
Everything anyone ever said about her was of the highest order. Smart, positive, curious, passionate. Not superlatives. All truth.
To leave the world at just 52 is just tragic beyond words.
I didn’t know Lisa personally but friends did. One said they exchanged texts just a week or so ago.
There will be many tributes online to Lisa today, and you can read them at the links below.
But the thread of these two moments from the weekend gave me the most existential pause for thought.
We all pretend we are in control but there’s a higher order at play.
In the noise of work and study deadlines, stressful conversations, opinions about Jaguar campaigns, and endless LinkedIn promoting… we are all just passing through.
There’s a strong desire for us to manage our time but mostly time manages us.
“It’s coming around again, the slowly creeping hand, of time and its command” - Powderfinger.
You have an opportunity today.
Don’t use the time to bullshit your way through the day.
Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Listen.
Laugh.
Live.
We’re not guaranteed tomorrow.
Wade
Links about Lisa Ronson:
https://www.adnews.com.au/news/lisa-ronson-dies-in-accident
https://www.bandt.com.au/leading-cmo-lisa-ronson-dies-in-tragic-farm-accident/