Dont Die with your Music still in You

 We all, at some point, confront our mortality and recognize that living forever is a pipe dream. Moments of crisis often push us to think more deeply about our lives. However, the beauty of life lies in the fact that no matter what we've done up until now, we have the power to move beyond it and achieve even more. As the saying goes, "Don't die with your music still in you." Every one of us is born with immense potential, and it's crucial to identify and bring out our unique talents. Here are some ways to ensure that your music doesn't remain unplayed. I've expanded on the words "Die" and "Music" to provide deeper insights.

Desire – Everything begins with desire. Whatever you want in life stems from desire, and even what you don't want is tied to it. The key is that everyone has desires, but clarity about what those desires are is crucial. Once you clearly identify your talents and align them with your desires, you can experience greater happiness and fulfillment. Desire is the starting point of all passion, achievement, and significance. Steve Jobs, for example, had a burning desire to change the world through technology. From a garage startup, he turned Apple into one of the most influential companies globally by relentlessly pursuing his vision.

Inspiration – You cannot bring your music out without inspiration. When you are inspired, you feel completely aligned and sometimes even on top of the world. Patanjali captures this beautifully: “When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds. Your mind transcends limitations; your consciousness expands in every direction; and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.” Inspiration can come from various sources—engaging in physical exercise, getting adequate sleep, pursuing a hobby you love, or reading books that ignite your spirit. Consider Michael Jordan, whose competitive spirit and drive to inspire his teammates and fans led him to become one of the greatest athletes in history, breaking records and setting new standards for excellence.

Enthusiasm – Approach everything with a sense of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm makes the days fly by and fills you with cheer. Steve Jobs, known for his mercurial nature, was driven by unwavering enthusiasm. Jobs broke rules and pushed the limits of innovation with boundless enthusiasm. He famously demanded that even the inside of Apple’s motherboards be beautifully designed, and when questioned about who would see it, he replied, “I will.” His enthusiasm was infectious, and it played a significant role in his ability to inspire others. As documented in Inc. Magazine's 1981 cover story, “When Steve Jobs speaks it is with the ‘gee-whiz’ enthusiasm of someone who sees the future and is making sure it works.”

Meaning – You can bring your music out when you discover the deeper meaning of your life. Stephen Covey’s concept of "beginning with the end in mind" is a powerful tool for this. Imagine your funeral—what would you like people to say about you? This exercise helps you visualize your ideal life and understand the legacy you want to leave. While we may not always live up to our ideals, taking time to reflect on them can elevate our lives. For a deeper exploration, see my article on https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-ways-live-your-legacy-leave-lasting-ramanathan-pmp-cssgb-ains-au/ “9 Ways to Live Your Legacy.” Martin Luther King Jr. is a prime example of someone who understood the deep meaning of his life. He envisioned a world where people are judged by their character, not the color of their skin, and worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Understanding – Understanding the purpose of your life provides meaning. We can choose to live a great life or succumb to our fears about what success truly is. Success is personal, so I won't equate it with money, though it does play a role. Our goals define our destiny. Clare Boothe Luce, a politician, writer, and ambassador, popularized the idea of having a "life sentence" that encapsulates the meaning of your life—something you create by deeply examining your innermost feelings and deciding what you want to be remembered for. Writing a personal mission statement can also be beneficial. Just as we have goals in our work life, setting personal goals in various areas—such as career, finances, and family—can enrich our lives and give them deeper meaning. Personal goals are your own story; you can write your own script and give it the best possible ending by living in alignment with what you truly want. This can also be translated into having an intense burning desire to succeed. As Glen Cunningham, who set the world record for the mile run in 1934, once said, “Desire is what made a boy with burnt legs set the world record in the one-mile run.” Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi understood the purpose of his life deeply. His commitment to non-violence and his vision for a free India shaped his actions and left a legacy that continues to inspire.

Significance – Once you bring your music out, you have a greater chance at significance, whatever that may look like for you. It's important to remember that you don't have to be a celebrity to feel significant. Even making a difference in your children’s lives can bring a sense of significance. Small acts of kindness can also contribute to a feeling of significance. Finding your mission in life gives you a shot at true significance. Marie Curie, for instance, dedicated her life to scientific research, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity that saved countless lives. Her work demonstrated how one’s mission can create lasting significance.

Imagination – Never let your imagination die. Believe in your ability to achieve what you set out to do. You must have faith in your vision; only with that belief can you progress toward bringing your unique music to the world. Expand your imagination to consider great possibilities in your life. We all possess creativity, and one way to tap into it is by journaling regularly. You can only truly understand yourself when you take the time to have a conversation with yourself. Grant yourself that solitude. Pablo Picasso, for example, constantly reinvented his art by allowing his imagination to run free, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary and redefining what art could mean for generations to come.

Courage – Finally, courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. It takes enormous courage to live on purpose and to bring your music out. You must be brave enough to listen to those who don’t share your vision and still pursue it. Every person faces rejection, setbacks, and self-doubt. We are all in this together, but it is the courage to persist despite obstacles that helps us on our journey toward self-actualization. Nelson Mandela embodies this courage. Despite spending 27 years in prison, he remained steadfast in his fight against apartheid, ultimately leading his nation toward freedom and justice.

These are the ways to ensure that your music doesn't die within you. We all have the capacity to bring our unique music to the world, whatever it may be. Thank you for reading this post.

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.