Life, Lessons & Love

Don’t Be A Warning To Others

April 7, 2025

Generally, I’m an optimist—I believe that we’re each here with a unique and extraordinary purpose. However, one of my favorite posters—from despair.com—offers a more sobering take. It reads:

MISTAKES

It Could Be That that the Purpose of Your Life Is

Only to Serve as a Warning to Others.

It’s funny… until it’s not. On the worst days, it may feel far too accurate.

Attention matters. When we fail to pay attention, things can fall apart around us—fast. And, when the dust settles, we’re left stunned, looking around and wondering, “Why me?” But if we’re honest, the answer is usually clear: the signs were there. We knew better. We could have made different choices.

When you don’t pay attention, you may be setting yourself up to become a warning to others.

I’ve lived this lesson too many times. In cars. Then on a motorcycle. My shoulders still carry the scars. Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight—through attention—makes all the difference.

As I’ve said before, and will say again and again: You can learn the easy way or the hard way.

So, ask yourself: What will it take to get your attention? When will you pay attention to what truly matters?

My dad used to tell a joke about a mule:

A farmer wanted to sell his mule, so he put the ad in the local paper.

The buyer asked, “Is the mule a good worker?”

“Absolutely,” said the owner. “Does a full day’s work.”

“Does he obey every command?” asked the buyer.

“Yes,” replied the owner.

“Can we hitch him up to see how he works?”

“No problem.”

So they got the mule into his harness. The buyer took the reins and said, “Giddy-up.” The mule didn’t move.

He tried again. Still nothing.

Frustrated, the buyer said, “I thought you told me this mule always obeys.”

“He does,” the owner replied. Picking up a 2x4, he walked in front of the mule, and smacked it as hard as he could right between the eyes.

“He always obeys… but you’ve got to get his attention first.”

That’s how life works too.

It’s always your choice. You can be stubborn. You can ignore what matters. But eventually, reality hits you like a 2x4—hard and too late to avoid the consequences. Like the capsized ship in the poster… you become the lesson others might learn not to repeat.

Your goal should be to learn from others; to live with attention; to avoid becoming the cautionary tale.

Every day, wake up grateful for another chance. Pay attention to the “incredibly stupid things you have been thinking, saying or doing” (as Jordan B. Peterson has advised) and make better choices.

You have a far greater purpose. Serving as a warning to others isn’t it.

Pay attention.