“Damnit!” I wake up and jump out of bed. I’m late, AGAIN. I’m definitely going to get fired this time.

My feet hit the ground. Hmmmm, I must have left my clothes on the floor last night. I scampered over to the wall to flick on the switch in my tiny little studio apartment. What usually takes 5 tiny steps is taking an eternity. My outstretched hand keeps feeling for the wall in the darkness.

Finally I reach the wall. No switch. This is weird.

I’ve got to be dreaming. I rub my eyes and pull at a curtain where my light switch should be. The light burst through like spotlights illuminating the entire room.

The view is immaculate! The skyline is incredible and I can see clear across the city. But what city is this? Certainly not mine. I live in one of the worst neighborhoods in Boston.

After the divorce, my wife got everything. Life was hard for me. We had three small children and a new house. Things were going good for us. Until I was let go of my job where I worked for 22 years. After 22 damn years they just hand me a slip and tell me I’m done.

I was a welder and my skills were obsolete now. I tried to find work but could not. I eventually turned to the bottle and lost everything. My wife, my kids, my house, my friends and family. I was even homeless up until last month.

Well, if this is a dream I’m going to enjoy it a little while longer. I crawl back in the bed.

I’m interrupted a short time later. “Sir, your clothes are ready and the car will be here in an hour” a well dressed butler is holding a suit and shoes.

“Huh?” I asked still dazed and confused.

“Your speech is in 2 hours”

“Speech?”

“Yes, today at Stanford. Tomorrow in Chicago and you end your tour at Oxford”

What the hell is happening? I run to the bathroom and look in the mirror. I lose my balance and almost fall. Clean shaved, hair is immaculate and the person in the mirror is fit.

It’s KaiRome Calloway. The Greatest Philosopher of modern times. HOW!?!?

The butler rushes me along as I try to explain that I’m not KaiRome!! I’m BRUCE! My name is BRUCE. He laughs and urges me along.

Now I’m in a Bentley being chauffeured to the university to give a speech that I have no idea about.

In the car I inquire about the speech so I can at least go over it. Meanwhile I’m eating everything in sight. If this is a dream I plan on enjoying every minute of it! This suit, the hotel, the food….all of it.

“You have never written a speech”, the butler explains, “You’ve memorized every speech since you were 3 years old”.

THREE! Who the hell is giving speeches at 3!

I remember reading about Kairome being a prodigy but I don’t know all the details.

When we arrive I’m whisked onto stage. Luckily I’m able to read the banner and the discussion topic.

“THE MEANING OF LIFE”

My life plays out in my mind immediately. A wave of emotions overcome me and I think about all that I’ve been through and what I could have done differently.

I’m standing in front of a thousand people. No speech.

“I stand here before you all to discuss the meaning of life. Not in the theoretical or academic sense, but in a more practical sense.

At birth we are born into a system that doesn’t teach how to live or what the purpose of life is. We are told that there are things that we need to have and to do to navigate life. That education is important. The money is a mode of exchange that gives us status and allows us to trade for things that make us happier while we are here.

But what is not taught is that the things that makes us the most happy can never be bought. The true intrinsic value lies in every day positive interactions with the people you love.

The emotions you feel when you touch the hand of the person you love. The feeling you get when you watch a child take that first step or utter the words mama, or dada. The adrenaline rush you get when you accomplish a goal. Even when you’re in a room alone and you solve a complex problem that you’ve been working on. Zone in on that moment. Close your eyes focus on that feeling for moment.

There was no money exchanged, no alcohol or drug consumed. But in that moment your brain released all dopamine and endorphins that people use drugs to reach. That happiness and moment in time when you’re just together with friends and laughing your ass off. Examine those moments and pay attention to the rewards that your body creates for you.

Live in the moments of joy for others. Live in the moments of joy for yourself. Be inquisitive, be creative, be adventurous. Love as much and as openly as you can. Remember that kindness, love and humanity are the keys to a happy and productive life. Go out today and pay attention to how the universe rewards you for being a good, loving, thoughtful person.”

When I finish the speech, everyone in the room is on their feet clapping. Many are crying and I can’t help but drop a tear as I think about my situation. It was clear to me that I had focused so much on my job and what I thought I was supposed to do. I was building a work life, not a family life. I invested more into my career than I had invested in my family and relationships.

Leaving the building, I saw a homeless man outside the loading docks where the car was parked. I reached in my pocket to hand him a few dollars. When I extended my hand to this homeless man that was obviously down on his luck, I looked dead into the eyes of ME!