There’s a surprising amount of literature, stories, and even artwork dedicated to near-death experiences. The brush with our mortality appears to exert a profound impact on us, often precipitating significant changes in those affected. I encountered my own near-death experience in my first year of college. At a debate tournament in the Newport Beach area, a few friends, including an exchange student from Germany, decided to join me early one Saturday morning. We aimed to introduce our friend from Germany to the quintessential Southern California experience through surfing. Although he chose to remain on the shore, observing rather than joining us on the waves, his attentiveness proved fortuitous for me.
As we surfed, eager to impress each other, we selected a section in Newport known for its challenging waves. The presence of a small reef caused the waves to break early, making them exciting yet slightly precarious to catch. Deep water, extending at least 25 feet beyond the break, added to the challenge. During a set of closely spaced waves, a failed attempt followed by the impact of the second wave quickly overwhelmed me. Normally, I would have dived under with my board to evade the break, but a severe cramp in my leg at that moment left me boardless and sinking, in pain, beneath the crashing waves.
The last thing I recall was gazing up at the sunlight reflecting off the water’s surface, realizing the urgency of surfacing before inhaling water. That was my final conscious thought before waking up on the beach to a lifeguard performing CPR, expelling seawater from my lungs. The German exchange student, having noticed my disappearance beneath the waves, had swiftly acted, diving in to rescue me. With the lifeguard’s assistance, he managed to bring me to shore, where I soon found myself gasping for air, albeit with a severe sunburn courtesy of my friends who left me to recover on a towel for several hours.
This incident curtailed my brief surfing career and likely served as a catalyst for significant life changes later that summer. Near-death experiences have a way of awakening the soul; in my case, I emerged fully alert. While I encountered no mystical visions of light or ancestral welcomes, I did discover a renewed desire to live—to truly understand what it means to live.
My journey with near-death experiences didn’t end there. Not all such events involve dramatic rescues; some occur in the realms of personal and professional life. A critical moment arose at my first company when a series of financial setbacks threatened our survival. The loss of a client’s payment, a revoked credit line, and an impending tax bill without the funds to cover payroll indicated that the company was teetering on the brink of collapse.
Much like my surfing accident, this crisis served as a stark wake-up call. Bearing the responsibility for the financial predicaments and facing the daunting task of announcing payroll shortages, I felt immense pressure. Yet, this challenge also jolted me into action, prompting a significant reevaluation and strategic shift in our business approach. With the collective effort of a dedicated team, we embarked on a slow, arduous path to recovery, gleaning invaluable lessons that continue to influence my business philosophy.
Near-death experiences teach us survival and the imperative for change. However, it’s neither feasible nor advisable to seek out such experiences deliberately. The question then arises: how does one embrace this transformative mindset without facing actual peril? The answer lies in recognizing the value of this perspective, understanding the fragility of our existence—whether personal or professional—and treating each day and opportunity as precious.
Should we live and work as though today might be our last? Should we operate under the constant awareness that our endeavors could crumble at any moment? My response is a resounding yes. Embracing life and our roles with a sense of urgency and appreciation can be profoundly empowering, fostering a mindset of resilience and gratitude that propels us forward.
Fascinating article! Thank you for sharing your near death experience!