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Motivation from OJ Simpson’s Death

Last week OJ Simpson died.

Much has been written about the man’s death, with coverage of it on CNN, People and ESPN. OJ’s 76 years of life were shared with the public in many roles - as a football star, fugitive, actor, murderer, author, criminal, cancer patient and now dead celebrity. He was also a son, husband and father.

Regardless what you think about OJ, there is no denying that he repeatedly captured the public’s attention during his adult life.

Here are three ways that we can use his death as motivation.

Certainty is an illusion: We like to think that our lives are predictable and subject to our control. Since the past has brought us a single outcome, we think of the future similarly. In reality, there are a range of outcomes awaiting us in the future that are influenced by our actions combined with randomness and luck. OJ defied what appeared certain that he’d be a convicted murderer serving life in prison and lived for another 29 years, mostly as a free man. Uncertainty is everywhere.

Death happens to all of us: Regardless, who we are - prisoners or superstars - life will end at some point. Death happens to everyone. That may sound morbid but it’s true, so instead of worrying about dying, let’s be thoughtful about spending time doing things that we love everyday.

Life has different chapters: OJ’s life included chapters as a kid, football star, accused murderer, actor, prisoner and cancer patient. For most of those his life had celebrity status. The chapters in our lives will be unique and vary during different periods. Instead of thinking how convenient it would be to teleport into another chapter, embrace the current situation and make the most of today.

Let’s have a great week!