I Met an F1 Legend and Barely Noticed. Here’s What I Regret Most
“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.”
– Walt Whitman
The Tinge of Regret
When I turned 40, I happened to be in Montreal for the Grand Prix, a dream setting for any motorsport fan. I was fortunate enough to be part of an exclusive experience, hosting some of our retail partners at the Ferrari team lounge. One of my team members knew it was my birthday and arranged for Sebastian Vettel to sit down, take a picture with me, and personally wish me a happy birthday.
At the time, I understood it was a big deal, conceptually. That photo still hangs on my office wall today (in fact staring at that picture for a few minutes recently, inspired this article). But recently, after getting hooked on Drive to Survive on Netflix, I felt a tinge of regret. Suddenly, I saw the moment for what it truly was: I had been sitting with one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, and I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time.
A similar thing happened years earlier. When I graduated from university, my dad and I took a short golf trip to Jamaica. Our resort was right next to Johnny Cash’s house. Every day while we were out golfing, Johnny and his wife, June Carter Cash, would pass us in their golf cart, wave, and continue on their way.
I “knew of” Johnny Cash. But only a few months later, he recorded a series of duets with some of my favorite artists, and I became obsessed with his music. Ding. That tinge of regret again.
The Power of Presence
Life is full of moments, some ordinary, some extraordinary. But when we’re disconnected from the experience, we deprive ourselves of the true blessing those moments hold.
I think about how blessed I am to still have my parents and in-laws, all in good health. I know so many others who have lost loved ones far too soon. I think about the small moments that I sometimes took for granted: reading books with my kids, playing games, just doing whatever they wanted to do.
I think about the moments as a leader: the opportunities to listen, to learn, to encourage. The times I could have corrected a behaviour or taken action that might have prevented bigger issues down the line.
Presence is a gift.
I wish I could say I’ve mastered it, but it’s an ongoing battle; made harder by the piece of metal and glass glued to my hand every day.
The Choice We Have
The greatest gift we can give ourselves and others is to make the most of the moments we have today. Because tomorrow isn’t promised.
I’m currently reading Inner Excellence, by Jim Murphy, and a passage really struck me:
“One of the biggest mistakes we make in our stories is confusing circumstances with our thoughts (about the circumstances)… The truth is, we are all going to die, but the much more important question is, will we fully live whatever days we have left? … Rather than judging and rejecting what you’ve lost or may lose, be present with what’s possible… The problem is not the problem, the problem is the way you think about the problem.”
We all have choices.
We can live fully present, engaged, and committed to what’s in front of us. Or we can live in regret, fear, and distraction, dwelling on what we’ve lost, or what we think we might lose.
God has blessed us with life, and each of us has a purpose, to make a difference, to love and be loved, to fight for the life we’ve been given and show gratitude for it until our very last breath.
Make Memories. Be Present.
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
– Robert Brault
Give yourself and others the gift of presence.
Choose to live in a way that reflects gratitude, purpose, and the will to make the most of your time.
Whether you’re 22 or 92, you still have an impact to make, today.
