Pause, Breathe, Reflect: How A Brush With Death Changed Michael O’Brien’s Life
Apr 8, 2024
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Michael O’Brien, a former executive and father of two, reveals how a life-threatening cycling accident transformed his approach to happiness and resilience. He discusses his journey from a hectic work life to embracing mindfulness and personal growth. O'Brien labels the day of the accident as ‘My Last Bad Day’ and shares his path to forgiveness for the driver involved. He emphasizes the importance of narrative in healing, collective mindfulness, and the gradual formation of positive habits in overcoming life's adversities.
Embracing imperfections and scars through the concept of Kensugi fosters beauty in impermanence and celebrates life's natural imperfections.
Transitioning from anger and revenge towards gratitude, personal growth, and living fully marks a profound transformation post-accident.
Mindfulness isn't just about stress reduction but also emphasizes community connection, fostering relationships and empathy for a more aligned life.
Starting a mindfulness practice involves paying attention to body signals, gradual habit formation, and integrating small but impactful changes into daily life.
Reflection and intention setting through mindfulness practices cultivate inner peace, promote kindness and empathy, and create positive ripple effects in interactions.
Deep dives
Reframing the Recovery Journey
The recovery journey after the accident was filled with physical pain and emotional turmoil. With injuries like a shattered left femur, fractured right shoulder, nerve damage, and facing the possibility of never getting back on the bike, the road to recovery seemed daunting. However, reframing the experience through the guidance of mentors and Buddhist parables helped shift the focus towards gratitude and a new perspective on life.
Trauma and Healing
The intense physical pain and emotional challenges post-accident led to moments of despair and questions about identity and purpose. Through experiences in the ICU and rehabilitation centers, a deep sense of vulnerability and determination to overcome the pain emerged. The emergence of the last bad day label and the first arrow, second arrow parable became pivotal in navigating the trauma and finding a path towards healing and acceptance.
Facing Injustice and Anger
Dealing with the lack of justice and closure regarding the driver who caused the accident brought feelings of anger and revenge. Schemes to get back at the driver emerged initially, driven by a sense of retribution for the harm caused. The journey towards letting go of this anger and resentment involved a shift in perspective and a gradual release of the need for retaliation.
Embracing Gratitude and Growth
Ultimately, the recovery journey evolved into a process of embracing gratitude, growth, and forgiveness. Moving from a place of anger and revenge towards a mindset centered on gratitude, personal growth, and a commitment to live fully in each moment marked a profound transformation. The journey of healing and acceptance shifted towards a focus on resilience, self-compassion, and a profound appreciation for life.
Embracing Imperfections through Kensugi Philosophy
The podcast discusses the concept of Kensugi, a Japanese art form and philosophy that embraces imperfections. Kensugi involves repairing broken pottery using lacquer mixed with gold, creating a scar-like appearance. The guest shares how he applied Kensugi's principles to his own life after a traumatic accident, finding beauty in imperfections and scars. This philosophy emphasizes connection, belonging, and celebrating impermanence and aging as part of the natural beauty of life.
The Power of Mindfulness in Overcoming Challenges
The episode explores the guest's journey with mindfulness and meditation following his hospitalization. Initially skeptical of mindfulness, he found solace in practices like box breathing during overwhelming moments. Through daily routines of pausing, breathing, and reflecting, he discovered the transformative impact of mindfulness in finding inner peace, setting intentions, and practicing gratitude. His mindfulness practice evolved to emphasize reflecting on how he wants to show up in the world, fostering a deeper connection to himself and others.
Spreading Positivity and Connection Through Mindfulness
The narrative highlights the guest's mission to share the benefits of mindfulness and breathwork with others through executive coaching, speaking engagements, and his meditation app. By integrating mindfulness practices into daily life and encouraging reflection and intention setting, he aims to help individuals access inner peace and cultivate positive ripple effects in their interactions. Embracing imperfections, fostering connection, and promoting kindness and empathy are central themes in his teachings, emphasizing the power of mindfulness in healing personal and societal wounds.
Living mindfully is a way of incorporating awareness and community throughout the day
Living mindfully is beyond just checking off daily practices like yoga or journaling; it's about integrating awareness into every moment. Mindfulness isn't just about individual benefits like reducing stress but also emphasizes community connection. The concept values 'we' over 'me,' highlighting the importance of mindfulness in fostering relationships and empathy. By slowing down and connecting with each other, mindfulness becomes transformative and helps individuals lead more aligned lives.
Starting small and building consistency is key in beginning a mindfulness practice
Starting a mindfulness practice can be as simple as paying attention to body signals of stress and discomfort. Begin by noticing where stress is felt the most in the body. Developing awareness through breathing exercises and reflecting on sensations can pave the way for small but impactful changes. Encouraging individuals to start with minimal actions like a short breathing practice or journaling can build habits gradually. The goal is to create consistent practices that eventually become integrated into daily life.
This week, I’m joined by Michael O’Brien, a former executive, and father of two who experienced a profound transformation after a life-altering cycling accident. Previously consumed by 65-hour work weeks, his perspective shifted when an SUV collided with him head-on. While being airlifted to medical care, he vowed to relinquish his pursuit of happiness, propelling him toward personal growth. Michael shares his resilience journey post-accident, labeling the day of the incident as “My Last Bad Day.” He discusses the pivotal role of perception in confronting life’s adversities, narrating his 11-year journey towards forgiveness for the driver accountable, inspired by the power of forgiveness. Embracing uncertainty, he reflects on physical limitations, debunking the illusion of control. Michael advocates for mindfulness, emphasizing gradual habit formation and lifestyle development. Michael imparts universal lessons on resilience, self-discovery, and growth. Please enjoy!
