Be an inspiration

This past week brought the passing of Judo Gene LaBell at the age of 89. He was one of Bruce Lee’s instructors and known to many as “The Godfather” of grappling. The mixed martial arts community reacted by honoring his name, his legend and all his accomplishments. Anyone who knew him said that he was an inspiration and that the world will not be the same without him.

When people who we look up to who pass away, we typically mourn their loss and then move on at some point. But, if we truly want to honor their legacy we should strive to take the best of what they had to offer and let them live on through us. It should ultimately make us think about our own eventual passing. What will people say about us? Will we be thought of as a positive force in this world, or a negative one? Or, worse yet, not thought of at all.

Gene LaBell was a generous and giving soul who spent his life serving others through the teaching of his gift. He changed the lives of so many. Although it’s sad to see him go, it’s also a blessing to know he lived. My goal is not to mourn his loss, but to celebrate his life and his contributions. A great way to do that is to ask what I want people to say about me when I’m gone. Then, to go out and live a life that is worthy of praise.