On September 18, 2013, I had the enormous fortune to attend a lecture by Maria de Villota, , for me a great personal brand, in Madrid. Just over a year earlier (on July 3, 2012), just as she was fulfilling her dream of being a Formula 1 driver, he suffered a very serious accident in the United Kingdom that nearly cost him his life. She lost an eye, her sense of smell and had to face several surgical operations and stayed in the ICU. And she also lost the possibility of continuing to enjoy her dream as a pilot.
And there she was, months later, in a Madrid auditorium full of executives, speaking to us about the importance of life. It was without a doubt one of the best conferences I have ever attended (and I have attended many). One of those conferences that I will never forget, that left a mark on me forever. In addition, a few days after the conference (on October 11, 2013) she died in Seville due to “natural causes” related to the neurological injuries she had suffered in the accident.
I wanted to share with you SOME OF MARIA’S QUOTES THAT HAVE IMPACTED ME AND THAT HELP ME REMEMBER THAT LIFE IS A GIFT.
- “YOU HAVE TO LEARN FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE A BAD TIME AND SUFFER.” Normally we tend to look at the most successful people, the winners, but looking back, looking at those who are having a hard time can help you appreciate what you have.
- “SMILE, FOR GOD’S SAKE! OR FOR WHOEVER YOU WANT, BUT SMILE, BECAUSE YOU ARE HERE TODAY, AND YOU HAVE A LOT TO LIVE FOR ON THIS DAY!” Maria spent the entire conference smiling, even when she recounted the hardest moments of her life. Smiling, and taking advantage of the day you are living is, without a doubt, some of Maria’s excellent recommendations. No matter what, don’t forget to look for the positive side of life.
- “I HAVE LOST AN EYE BUT NOW I SEE MORE BECAUSE BEFORE I ONLY WATCHED F1. NOW I SEE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THINGS.” Many times, people need life to give us a strong blow to realize what is important. Don’t wait for the blow to come. Start now to realize what is important in your life. As it is said, take care that the most important thing is always the most important thing.
- “STOP! STOP AS IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN YOUR LIFE”. Frequently we must stop on our way and think about our situation. Do we live the life we want to live? Do we value everything positive we have? So, find some time to take a breath and think about yourself, your life, and your loved ones.
- “OUR LIFE IS NOT OURS. IT IS AN FINITE PIECE OF TIME IF YOU SHARE IT WITH WHO YOU LOVE, WITH WHO NEEDS YOU. AND THE SAME PIECE OF TIME IS PETTY IF YOU DON’T APPRECIATE IT AND EVERYTHING THAT SURROUNDS YOU”. In the end, our life is nothing more than the time we have. So, take advantage of it and value it well. One day it will be over.
And I finish with a last quote from María de Villota that summarizes its essence and what I wanted to convey to you in this post: “I hope that, without going through an accident like mine, you can feel the joy of being alive and enjoy the gift of life.”
So don’t forget that, as María said, “Life is a gift”.
Related links:
The legacy of María de Villota: https://www.legadomariadevillota.com/
Her book: “La vida es un regalo”
