The Power of One (Thoughts on Las Vegas)

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." -- Viktor Frankl


Hi, Friend!

The images and stories we are seeing in the aftermath of the Las Vegas tragedy are heart-wrenching. For the last 36 hours, I've struggled to write the perfect words to share with you as I wrap my head around the biggest mass shooting in the history of the United States. 


However, this afternoon I realized "perfect" words aren't what the world needs right now. We don't need another well-meaning Facebook status or inspirational meme. What we need is sincerity, love, and courageous actionSo please accept this blog as a message from my heart to yours.


First of all, from the depths of my soul, know that I love you and have deep gratitude for you. There are some of you reading this who I have had the privilege of getting to know "in real life," whether it be as a client or friend. However, for the vast majority, we've never had the opportunity to meet face to face. That's ok. Because you are a member of this community, I know you are a person who is all-in on creating a better life and a better world. I deeply honor and respect that intention. I will share thoughts on how we can do that in a bit.


Second, as we search to put the events of this week into context, there is one theme I keep coming back to. The events of Sunday night show us how one person with unresolved emotional trauma can inflict widespread suffering in the lives of thousands of people. Yet, there is a flipside we should also talk about.


One individual living deeply from their purpose can make an even bigger impact in a positive way.


Lindsay Padgett and Mark Jay personally saved countless lives on Sunday. After escaping the gunfire, they loaded as many victims into their truck as they could, driving through road blocks until they could find an ambulance to attend to the most badly injured. They drove the others to the hospital where they could receive treatment.


There was the off-duty nurse on vacation from Orange County, California who ran back into the gunfire three separate occasions to attend to injured bodies, and refused to give her full name to the media afterwards, as to keep the focus on the victims and their families.


There were countless others who acted with courage and love that night, including hundreds of first responders, doctors, and nurses who worked throughout the night to save lives.


As we continue to monitor the headlines and watch this story unfold, It's up to us to decide where we want to focus our energy. Will it be on the hate of one man? Or the love, support, and selflessness of thousands of others? Because the fact is although one sick individual took the lives of 59 beautiful souls, there are still 7.5 billion of us who woke up this morning with the gift of another day. Together, we can rise up and make a positive impact.


I shared a quote from Viktor Frankl at the top of this email. If you aren't familiar, he wrote a book called "Man's Search for Meaning," where he documents his experience in Auschwitz. During that time, he lived in unspeakable conditions and watched the people closest to him die at the hands of the Nazis.


Frankl decided in that moment we cannot control the events of the world, but we can control the meaning we assign to it. He took his experience and created logotherapy, which essentially said human nature is motivated by the pursuit of our purpose. His greatest tragedy was the catalyst towards his greatest purpose.


So that is my great wish for you today-- that you focus your energy on discovering your purpose and bringing it to life. When you operate from your purpose, you use your innate gifts to become a person of contribution. You stop blaming others for the problems you see and take accountability to be part of the solution. You become a happier, more fulfilled person. That happiness creates a ripple effect in the lives of your friends and family, because the greatest gift you can give to those around you is your own joy. By doing so, you become a powerful example for others to do the same.


This is what the world needs more than ever. More happy people showing up, giving their gifts, and serving others.


Not by writing an angry Facebook status. Not by sitting in front of the news and reliving the trauma on an endless loop. But by creating meaningful action which will improve the lives of the people around you. 


For me, I am here to double down on my mission and help other people end their suffering. This is why I am offering free, 50-minute private coaching sessions to any person affected by the tragedies in Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Charlottesville, Texas, or Hurricane Irma. This isn't a "sales call" or a gimmick. I'm not using this to enroll new clients. I am simply offering a safe environment to self-disclose and begin the healing process.


If you know someone in the affected areas and would like to pass this along to them, please forward this blog and let them know they can reach out to me directly at dan@creativesoulcoaching.net.  


As the Dalai Lama says, "When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength."


Let's reach down and find our inner strength today, friends.


With Love + Light,
Dan