November is a special month for me and my family.

My dad’s birthday was on the 10th, my mum’s on the 18th, my brother’s was on the 27th. And then my son Julian was born on the 13th.

With the passing away of my dad 19 years ago, and even more so since my brother Matthew died last year (also in November), this month has become a month of deep reflection for me. It is a time when I remember my dad and my brother more than during the other months. During November, I think more often about the time spent with them and the memories shared.

This sort of ‘meditation’ bears a lot of fruit. It gives me a sense of spirituality which grounds me back to the fine thread that is reality. As I was telling my wife yesterday, I’ve come to look at life as a very fine and delicate thread which is ready to snap at a whim. Death is only a heartbeat away. But I don’t say this in a negative light.

To the contrary, I look at life as a gift, which I like to call the Gift of Now. Life is a Gift of Now. Every single day is a Gift of Now. So what you have to do it live it. Don’t delay your plans any further, don’t postpone meeting with people to another time. Don’t travel tomorrow. Do what you can and do it now. Enjoy what you can and enjoy it now.

In the picture: me at my brother Matthew’s Tribute event