How Do You Know?
I almost missed it.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting with my 4-year-old granddaughter. She was telling me a story, her little voice full of excitement, her hands moving as she spoke. I nodded, smiled, responded. But if I’m honest—I was only half there in that moment. My mind was busy, pulled in a dozen directions, thinking about things I needed to do later that day.
And then it hit me.
This moment—the way her voice sounds right now, the way her hands move, the way she wants to tell me every little thing—is temporary.
A year from now, she’ll be different. Five years from now, she’ll be unrecognizable from that sweet little child sitting in front of me.
I looked at her again. Really looked. And just like that, I was back in the moment, fully present.
How many moments like this have I already missed? Probably a million and one.
Not because I didn’t love the people around me.
But because I wasn’t paying attention. I didn’t know.
The Moments We Don’t Recognize Until They’re Gone
Isn’t this the lament of every human who has ever walked the earth?
"I didn’t see it for what it was."
The last conversation with someone who would soon be gone. The opportunity that came disguised as an ordinary moment. The chance meeting that could have shifted everything—but was dismissed as nothing.
I’m not suggesting we look through a dimly lit window toward a barren earth, mourning mistakes of the past.
I’m not suggesting we live in fear of what we might miss.
I am suggesting we learn to become so present, so attuned to what we value most, that we recognize when to pivot, when to lean in, and when to let go.
Because it’s not just about career opportunities or moments with loved ones—it’s about this moment, right here, right now.
What’s One Thing You Know For Sure
A friend of mine, an executive at Time Warner, asked me a question years ago: “What’s one thing you know for sure?”
Back then, I knew a lot of things. That was then.
These days, the more I learn, the less I know.
I don’t know much anymore—except for the things I value. And that, I know for sure.
The Next Moment
So now I try to pause.
When my granddaughter speaks, I listen—really listen—because I know this version of her won’t last forever.
When my son calls me from college, I’ll put down what I’m doing—because there will come a time when he stops calling.
When life presents me with an unexpected choice, I ask myself: Is this mine?
Maybe that’s all it takes. Not an obsession with every passing moment, not a fear of missing out—but a quiet, steady awareness that life is happening right now.
And the only way to live it fully… is to pay attention. Not because something tragic might happen. But because everything is already changing. Every moment is impermanent. Nothing lasts. And when you know that—truly know it—you never take another conversation, another glance, another moment for granted again.
How would you know?
The key to recognizing meaningful moments is becoming attuned to what matters most—your values. But how would you know what those values are if you haven’t taken the time to reflect on them deeply?
This is where a powerful resource comes into play.
Brad Hook, an expert on values and personal development, offers profound insights in his book "Start With Values" and his accompanying course. Through his work, he explores the essential role of values in a person's life, which is the first step toward living more intentionally and with greater purpose.
His approach empowers you to understand what truly drives you so that when opportunities arise, you can quickly recognize if they align with your authentic self. If you’re ready to explore your values more deeply, Brad’s insights provide a clear framework to start living a life that’s aligned with who you are and what you truly care about.
If you’re asking yourself, "How would I know if I’m living the life I truly want?", start by looking at your values. They’re the compass that will help you navigate the path to a more fulfilling life.
