Pau Donés has been one of the fundamental Spanish musicians of the last 20 years, with such memorable hits as “La Flaca”.
But today I am not writing about his undoubted musical talent but about his vital example, especially in his later years.
Live with gratitude, pursue your purpose, be yourself. Powerful learnings that he has left us, beyond his magnificent songs.
In 2015 he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. The doctors predicted a maximum of 5 years of life and unfortunately they were not wrong. A brutal blow for someone so vital and successful. He knew how to see the positive side and grow exponentially as a human being.
His reflections on what is truly important in life are a revulsion against pessimism, materialism or lack of focus.
I share a selection, many of them collected in his excellent autobiography: “50 sticks… and I keep dreaming”.
Gratitude
Gratitude is the first step to happiness, as David Steindl-Ras explains well in this magnificent video. And this is what Pau has practiced, especially in his last stage. “We are so used to our hearts beating that we do not give it much importance, but when things are not clear, then you learn to appreciate what it means.”
“Cancer has given me glorious moments, of brutal clairvoyance, of an emotion like I have never felt before.”
“The hugs against the pain of others are those that have pushed me, those that have helped me to pull forward, but above all, those that have achieved that the lateral damage of this whole process has been much lighter and more bearable” .
“Live the moment. To live. And period. Because life is a big gift ”.
Purpose
Gratitude is the first step to happiness, as David Steindl-Ras explains well in this magnificent video (https://bit.ly/3hbi1r6). And this is what Pau has practiced, especially in his last stage. “We are so used to our hearts beating that we do not give it much importance, but when things are not clear, then you learn to appreciate what it means.”
“The hugs against the pain of others are those that have pushed me, those that have helped me to pull forward, but above all, those that have achieved that the lateral damage of this whole process has been much lighter and more bearable” .
“Live the moment. To live. And period. Because life is a big gift ”.
Focus
Today there are options at every step to disperse and lose your most genuine course. Mindfulness is a rare commodity, a competitive advantage on a personal and business level. And it is a key requirement to live better.
Only very wise people do it without facing hard life blows. For Pau his serious illness was an “alarm clock”, an incentive to make better use of the time he had left.
“Living dreaming, that is what I am going to do with what lies ahead. I am going to dedicate myself only to things that I consider to be worthwhile, to things that I like. I pass from wasting time, from wasting my life.”
“In the past I lived at full speed, in future mode. Today I enjoy the present and I have no plans. ”
“Life is one and now: let’s live it. And let’s not be afraid. Whatever it has to be, it will be. As long as we are here, let’s enjoy it ”.
Pau leaves us good songs. But above all I keep his honesty, lucidity and courage, beyond any of his defects. Rest in peace.
David Reyero Trapiello – Senior HR Business Partner – Sanofi Iberia
e-mail: David.reyero@sanofi.com / Twitter: @davidreyero73 / Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/davidreyerotrapiello/
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