This weekend I was privileged to be invited to two totally different events.  Both were special in their own way and involved young men.

Now before your mind goes off on a tangent, let me explain what made these occasions so memorable.

On Saturday, I went to an event celebrating the life of Carl Macro, who sadly died on Monday, 30th May, 2011. Had he lived another few weeks he would have been just 29 years old.

I’ve known Carl since he was a very small boy and his short life has always been plagued with ill health.  He had his first liver transplant aged 12 years old and a second when he was twenty-four.The reality is Carl was always on borrowed time, but he was one of the bravest, most inspirational people I’ve ever come across.

Despite all he had to go through, he remained cheerful, optimistic and was a great support for anyone in need.  When I needed volunteers for the Son-Rise Program I was running for my youngest son who has autism, Carl was the first to volunteer his time.

I’ll never forget him, or his Celebration of Life ceremony held this weekend.

It was attended by many different age groups, each with our own special memories, and the event took on a party type atmosphere. 

That was Carl’s wish.

Life is for living!

He wanted no mourning dress, just bright colours and at the end we all released balloons into the sky.

It was beautiful, and everyone who attended left with the feeling there was “hope” life could get better…

… even if it wasn’t on this earth.

Carl’s faith was strong.  His message was clear.

Sunday’s event was totally different.

Again everyone left with a feeling of “hope”, but not for a better future in the after world but in the present.

Instant Profit Seminar was a free two day event hosted by Alex Jeffreys and Dean Holland and offered simple, effective and actionable ideas people could implement online to promote their product or service.

Their ethical strategies have helped them personally achieve financial freedom and their desired lifestyle, and as I listened to their marketing messages, I couldn’t help compare them to Carl’s.

Both really said the same thing.

Life is short.  Live each day as if it’s your last and don’t waste your precious time on things that aren’t necessary or aren’t taking you where you want to go.

Never stop believing things will get better.

Focus on what’s important in your life, always give your best, and provide value to others.

Carl did,  and Alex and Dean are doing so too, just in a very different way.

So what was their message?

…NEVER give up HOPE!

Carl Macro’s sadly left us
He’s on this earth no more,
Missed by all who knew him
Of that you can be sure
Young Carl was such a fighter
And cheerful to the end
Someone we were pleased to know
And proud to call a friend
Ill health took Carl from us
But looking down from up above
He can be sure that all who knew him
Remember him with love.

P.S. I’ve just published my new site – JeanShawInterviews.com, and as the name suggests I’ve interviewed several people with more to follow.

Each individual had hope and has changed their lives for the better and if you want to listen in and see if you identify with any of their stories, please feel free to check them out here -  http://www.jeanshawinterviews.com