“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” ~H. Jackson Browne
When I was fifteen, I “died” for about a minute or so and then came back to life. A very severe case of bronchitis that lasted for over a week caused my brush with death. What complicated the situation was my allergic reaction to one type of medicine.
I had what’s known as a near death experience, and it was typical of all other near death experiences.
There was bright light, lots of love, and a huge reluctance to come back. I tried to negotiate with the dude in charge about letting me stay, but he told me I was still needed and that my time was not up.
He told me a few more things about my life, things that were too private to share. Interestingly enough, they all came true.
The last thing I remember before coming back was that I saw my body in bed, and I remember thinking that I looked so peaceful. It was kind of weird to see myself from the ceiling of my bedroom and to watch what was happening as if it were happening to someone else. I then opened my eyes, and life as I knew it was never the same.
Prior to this experience, I didn’t have much awareness of death. I knew that it existed but it didn’t seem like it would happen to me any time soon. It was like a distant relative that I knew I would meet in the future, which was many years away.
My childhood was bad for a variety of reasons. When I was born, I had a defect that made my head look like it was on crooked. Kids made fun of me daily.
When I was nine, the defect was corrected but the scars of the pain remained. To complicate matters even more, I was the first ethnic kid in a neighborhood where racism was rampant.
As a result, I didn’t like going to school. I went through most of my days complaining or lamenting about how miserable things were. When I first got the case of bronchitis that practically killed me, I was happy because it meant that I could stay home from school.
Things changed when my bronchitis finally went away. I began to live my life on full throttle.
The awareness that there was such a thing as dying made me value living. I began to view my life as this wonderful journey, and I wanted to make the most out of every single moment. My goal was that when my time would end, there would be no regrets for not living life to the fullest.
So with this newfound philosophy I did whatever I wanted. Many people in my life weren’t pleased.
The thing about surviving death is that you no longer have any fear or concern about perceived limitations. The worst thing that possibly could happen is death. Being that I saw it, I wasn’t scared of it. So whenever someone would try to talk me out of an idea or discourage me, I ignored them.
This only brought me more problems with people.
My friends’ parents thought I was a bad influence because I had all these crazy dreams, such as traveling the world. I didn’t see life has being one big burden of responsibility. I saw it as being an open invitation to do what my heart felt like doing.
I wasn’t a bad kid. I didn’t drink and I didn’t do drugs, but I was daring when it came to what I wanted to see and do in life.
I would talk of going to see various parts of the world and all the wonderful experiences I wanted to have.
Many people accused me of being unrealistic and a dreamer. They were determined to have me conform but I was determined to live life on my terms. I found it strange that people thought my dreams were a bad thing. How can being a dreamer be a negative? I never could figure out the answer to that question.
When high school graduation came, it was a blissful day. I felt free—like the world was waiting for me.
So I did travel the world. I’ve been to five out of the seven continents. I experienced all kinds of jobs based on what felt right at the moment. I have been a secretary, a data analyst, a graphic designer, a lawyer, and a make-up artist. Throughout it all, I’ve consistently worked on my passion, writing.
I’ve known all kinds of people. I’ve seen it all just like I wanted. My life hasn’t been very structured but rather like one big squiggly line. I’ve been all over and it made me a better person.
If my life were to end now, I would have no regrets. I lived it based on my terms. I often think that if I didn’t have that near death experience, my life would have been quite different.
That is the irony about going out on a limb; it can be lonely at times, since many people are scared to go after what they want.
In my mind, going out on a limb means going and getting what your heart wants to experience. It means following your passion. Initially, you may not know your passion; going out on a limb to find it enables you to discover your version of truth.
Many people want to play it safe and do the “right” thing. Many people want life to be reduced down to a formula. The beauty of life is that there is no set formula. Life is what you make out of it.
Even if it’s lonely because not many people will be out there with you going for that fruit, when you reach the end of the branch and grab it, the journey will make it taste so much sweeter.
Nothing of value in life comes easily. You have to give in order to get. If you have dreams, by all means go after them. No one can hold you back. No one except yourself.
Photo by Lance Shields

About Nadia Ballas Ruta
Nadia Ballas-Ruta maintains her own blog at http://www.happylotus.com/, and is a regular contributor here and at Elephant Journal. She is a free spirit who believes in being happy & green and eating as healthy as possible. You can follow her on Twitter @HappyLotus.
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what vacuous self-centred twaddle
I really loved this post and it fits perfect into what I'm reading right now, which is the book, “On Life After Death”. A great read!
Thanks for sharing this post!
Dayne
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This article was super inspiring and I am really thankful you shared it with me! I am turning 18 tomorrow and this is now how I am planning on living the next year of my life (and maybe for the rest of my life). I cant thank you enough!
You put into words what I have tried to find in myself!
Hi Dayne,
Thank you so much for the positive feedback! That title you mentioned sounds familiar. Kind of cool how you are reading on the subject and then come across this post. I love when things like that happen. 🙂
Hi Tom,
Happy Birthday or rather…pre-Happy Birthday eve!
I am so happy that this post spoke to you. As a writer, that means so much to me. You made my day. Thank you so much.
Have a wonderful time living on full throttle!
[…] here is the link to my newest article over at Tiny […]
Nadia, what a beautiful post. Thank you. I read a book called Embraced by the Light a while back and I've been very interested in near death experiences since.
What resonates with me the most in your article is when you say “you have to give in order to get”. I believe this wholeheartedly. A life of service, to make a difference for the limited amount of time that we're on earth, is my idea of a fulfilling life. And yes, by doing so, we have to stop playing it safe all the time.
Hi Nadia! This post is awesome. As I was reading it, I started feeling like “this is the way I should be living my life” but then quickly realized I may already be. I'm only 27 but feel as though I have already lived about 100 lives. My friends frequently tell me that I should write a book about my life because I have experienced so many things, lived so many places and met so many people. I have infinity stories. It isn't uncommon for me to bring up “the time I was a kindergarten teacher” or how, at one point in my life, “I was a surgical assistant” or how I “used to be a model.” I've had COUNTLESS jobs (and funny scenarios) and it isn't because I can't make up my mind, don't have any passions or am a bad employee… it's simply because, when I decide I want to do something… I do it! I rarely let things like money or distance stand in my way. I, like you, get a lot of strange looks and negative comments about the way I've lived my life, so it is a relief to read someone else's experiences! I hope to learn much more from your writing.
Thanks again!
Sarah
Hi Belinda,
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. I do remember hearing about that book. I think I read it but I do not remember since it was a while ago. Actually, I was recently did a more indepth interview about my near death experience at another blog. You will be able to access it from my blog tomorrow.
And I am so happy that you wholeheartedly believe in a life of service. That is awesome and how I wish more people thought that way. Keep up the awesome work.
Hi Sarah,
I loved what you wrote about feeling like you have lived 100 lives. I am bit a older than you and I feel like I have been through enough stuff that is the equivalent of a thousand lives. So I know exactly how you feel.
It is always nice to meet another person who walks on a similar path. It is a reflief for me too because sometimes it can be hard to be the free spirit in a crowd that believes that life has to be one way.
That said, I would never want to be anyone else and so now I have problem proclaiming my views on life. It can be comical at times and I am cool with it.
And I think it is awesome that you are being true to who you are. You go, girl!
[…] Living life like a squiggle rather than a straight line. I have lived my life according to this methodology, and I can fully endorse it… it’s […]
Wow. I always find something spiritually useful in all your posts and this is no exception. You have seen beyond the veil and that wisdom underscores all your writing. I am truly grateful and am often moved by what you write.
Wow. I always find something spiritually useful in all your posts and this is no exception. You have seen beyond the veil and that wisdom underscores all your writing. I am truly grateful and am often moved by what you write.
[…] Living Life at Full Throttle […]
[…] Living Life at Full Throttle […]
Wow. I always find something spiritually useful in all your posts and this is no exception. You have seen beyond the veil and that wisdom underscores all your writing. I am truly grateful and am often moved by what you write.
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I agree, with living the live to the fullest now, but doing what you want within some moral grounds is important, because you have to consider the other person position. For example, if you have a kid, you gotta be responsible with your decision and situation. You can’t just stand up one day and decide to do what you want. The kid will not grow up fundamentally well.