This article is not an obituary, it’s not a rehash of the news or just a tribute to a truly wonderful example of a fully engaged man.
As you read this I want you to think about how you live your life. Not from the standpoint of dying suddenly, but from the point of wholeness and the level of joy and passion you live every day with. When you have every reason to believe you have all the time in the world and you still live your life to it’s fullest, that is a truly remarkable life.
I was as shocked as anyone to hear of Tim Russert’s passing and also surprised by how hard it hit me and then how hard it hit other women I know. People really felt a connection with him. I don’t even remember how many years I’ve been watching Meet the Press, but I do know it’s been a very long time. Even when I’m traveling I try to see it before I go down to the meeting room or go out for the day when I’m on vacation.
One of the first things I thought of was how much he loved the Buffalo Bills, probably because every time he said “Go Bills” at the end of his broadcast during football season, I would silently say the same thing about my team, the Packers. I shared his passion for football so it made me feel more connected to him.
He was serious about his commitment to make a difference in his profession and he had that same commitment to everything in his life he cared about. I haven’t often seen an example of someone who has such a high level of passion and commitment to every area of their life.
Tim’s father and his son were well known people to regular viewers of his show, so much so that with all the coverage I’ve seen, every time his son is mentioned he is called ‘Tim’s beloved son Luke’.
He wrote 2 books that are best sellers, the first about his relationship with his dad, “Big Russ and Me”, which was followed by “Wisdom of Our Fathers” based on the 1000’s of letters he received from people who wanted to pay tribute to their fathers. (There’s a hint for you information marketers)
Enthusiasm is a great word to connect with Tim. He had a zest for life. He was passionate about his faith, his work, his family, his hometown of Buffalo, his sports teams and Bruce Springsteen.
He lived and loved fully and openly and all those he loved clearly knew it. I’ve never seen so many stoic journalists emotional on camera, because they cared so deeply about this man. He was a cheerleader to everyone who worked for and with him over the years and their families, not just his own family.
He was fiercely loyal to his friends, a quality I admire very much. He was close personal friends with Republicans, Democrats and his closest competitors.
He lived his life to the fullest, passionately and with purpose, never losing touch with his blue collar upbringing; and more than just remembering where he came from, he embraced and supported Buffalo-and Buffalo loved him back.
For a man with so many professional accomplishments, who he was as a man has over-shadowed the talk of who he was as a journalist. I think that’s something we could all aspire to.
He told his son he loved him every day. He loved hanging out with his son & his friends. He never missed an event in his son’s life.
His family seems to be more at peace than I’ve seen with other tragic deaths. While giving his eulogy, his son smiled proudly while talking about his father. I wonder if that comes from a sense of not having things unsaid or undone, knowing that you lived your life and shared your feelings every day?
If there was ever a case of someone who was able to say, “If I died today, I’d die a happy man”, it would be Tim Russert.
In Tim’s words, “Let us all go get ’em.”
Go Bills!
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Lynn Pierce, the Success Architect, has taught people how to combine business and personal development to reach the pinnacle of success and live the life of their dreams for over 25 years. In addition, she is also the founder of one of the most exciting annual events for women entrepreneurs, “Women’s Business Empowerment Summit”. Now she shares her keys to success and life mastery with you. You can get the first five lessons of “Change One Thing, Change Your Life: A Personal Transformation System” at http://www.yourbreakthroughtosuccess.com
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