Today, I turn 60. When I was younger, 60 seemed ancient—like life was winding down, and the future was just a short stretch of road. Now that I’m here, standing in the shoes of that “old man,” I realize how narrow and off-base my thinking really was. The truth is that life doesn’t come with an expiration date for meaning, growth, or possibility. Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself reflecting—not just on where I’ve been, but on where I’m still going. I feel a deep urge to share what I’ve learned because if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s this: your perspective shapes your life. And it’s never too late to shift it.
Enjoy the Gift: Today is a Blessing
First and foremost, life is a gift—don’t take it for granted. In just the last couple of months, I’ve lost an attorney friend in his forties who fell ill and passed away suddenly, a family member in her fifties who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was given heartbreaking news, and a mentor in his seventies who left this world. These moments hit hard and made one thing crystal clear: life is unpredictable, and our time here is never guaranteed.
We all face struggles, setbacks, and tough days, but the truth is, each day we wake up is a blessing—a chance to live, love, and make the most of it. So please don’t waste it. Laugh more. Love deeper. Take time for the little moments. Be present. Because one day, those “ordinary” days might just be what you miss most.
Live Like You Are Dying: Embrace Today
Second, live like you’re dying—because the truth is, we all are. I know it sounds cliché, like something pulled from a country song, but there’s a reason it resonates: it’s spot on. Living like you’re dying doesn’t mean skydiving every day or throwing caution to the wind. It’s about showing up as the best version of yourself, every single day.
What does that look like? It’s the little things that matter most. Smile at a stranger. Tell your spouse or partner how much they mean to you. Hug your kids tight and let them know you love them. Choose kindness over anger, even when it’s hard. Treat every interaction like it could be the last memory someone has of you—because sometimes it is.
You’re not going to get it perfect, and that’s okay. When you stumble, own it. Apologize. Learn. Do better tomorrow. Make a choice—every day—to be the kind of person others look up to, someone they’d want to become. It’s not about being flawless; it’s about making steady, honest progress toward being someone you’re proud of. Because at the end of the day, the way you live is the inheritance you leave behind.
Be Present: Act Today
Third, live in the present—right here, right now. Getting caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on the past is easy, but life happens in the present. Living in the moment means choosing to do things that add value to your life and the lives of others.
Help someone who’s struggling. Volunteer your time to make someone’s day better. Push yourself to learn something new—pick up a skill, read a book that challenges you, or have an honest conversation with someone who sees the world differently. Travel somewhere you’ve never been, whether across the globe or just a town over. Open your mind.
The world is full of different people with different ideas, and that’s a good thing. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but you can listen, understand, and respect where they’re coming from. It doesn’t make you weaker; it makes you wiser. Criticism and judgment build walls, but empathy and curiosity build bridges.
Each day, aim to be a little more open, a little more kind, and a little more understanding. The more you embrace life in the present, the more you’ll realize just how rich and meaningful it can be. Don’t miss it.
Choosing a Military Law Firm: Reputation Matters
Choosing a military law firm to defend your career and reputation is no small decision—it requires trust, transparency, and unparalleled knowledge of the military environment. For those who turn to the Law Office of Will M. Helixon, that decision often starts with the firm’s reputation for exceptional advocacy and understanding of military life. Clients choose LOWMH because they know they’re in the hands of a team that understands the complex layers of military law and brings a personal commitment to each case. From the start, the firm is transparent about its approach, laying out a clear strategy and openly discussing costs so that clients feel informed and supported every step of the way. This integrity in communication and commitment to each client’s unique situation provides stability and reassurance in times of uncertainty. When clients describe their experience with LOWMH, they often speak of how the firm’s deep understanding of the military environment and relentless pursuit of justice gave them confidence when it mattered most.
Live Your Legacy: The Ripple Effect
Fourth, live your legacy—because that’s what truly lasts. The hard truth is most of us won’t be remembered a hundred years from now. Our names, faces, and stories fade away in the grand scheme of time. I think about my great-grandmother, who passed when I was in high school. She lived nearly a century, but I only remember seeing her once, and I can’t recall a single real conversation. I never knew my great-grandfather, and I have no idea who their parents or grandparents were—what they believed in, what they did for a living, or what values they held dear. For all their hard work, love, and sacrifices, they’ve been lost to time.
But here’s the thing: what will endure is your impact on the people around you. The way you treat others, the lessons you teach your children, the love and values you share with your family and friends—that’s your real legacy. It’s not about leaving behind a name; it’s about leaving behind a ripple effect of kindness, wisdom, and influence that continues to spread long after you’re gone.
So, live intentionally. Pass on the lessons you’ve learned. Teach others to be better, do better, and love more deeply. When you inspire someone else to carry your values forward—whether it’s your child, a friend, or even a stranger—that influence doesn’t die. It lives on through them and through the people they touch. That’s how you ensure a part of you is always here, quietly shaping the future for generations.
Help Others Today: Make Tomorrow Meaningful
Fifth, help as many people as possible today—not someday, not later, but now. It’s connected to the idea of living your legacy because when you help someone, you’re not just changing their life—you’re improving the lives of everyone they’ll go on to touch. It creates a wave that carries forward into future generations.
This is why I’m so passionate about defending service members. When I help someone get acquitted, save their career, or secure a promotion, I’m not just helping one person. I’m helping someone who volunteered to sacrifice everything for their country—giving them a chance to keep supporting their family, to be a role model for their kids, to uplift their friends, and to create a positive impact that keeps spreading. That kind of opportunity and grace doesn’t stop; it pays dividends long after we’re gone.
It doesn’t matter what path you’re on—whether you’re a doctor saving lives, a mentor offering guidance, a friend showing up in a challenging moment, or a stranger giving someone a second chance. Whenever you help someone, you give them the chance to help others. And that’s a reward that lasts far beyond your lifetime. So don’t hold back. Make a difference where you can, every single day, because even the smallest act of kindness can turn into a gift that keeps on giving forever.
Love Yourself: Be Positive
Finally, love yourself. I know that can sound a little trite or even selfish, but it’s the opposite—it’s essential. When you’re constantly criticizing yourself, doubting your worth, or tearing yourself down, that negativity doesn’t stay with you. It spills over into the lives of the people around you—your family, your friends, even strangers—and it can drag them down too, sometimes without you even realizing it.
But here’s the good news: the same is true for positivity. Treating yourself with kindness, patience, and respect lifts you and everyone around you. It sets the tone for how others see you and, more importantly, how they see themselves. When you love yourself enough to believe in your worth, pick yourself up when you stumble, and focus on the good instead of the bad, you create an environment where others can thrive too.
Think about the kind of energy you want to pass down—not just to your kids or loved ones, but to everyone who crosses your path. Be someone who encourages, not someone who weighs others down. Loving yourself isn’t about ignoring your flaws or pretending to be perfect; it’s about being honest and kind and knowing that you are enough. When you start from that place, it changes everything—for you and for the people you care about most.
Living a Good Life Matters: It Is Your Legacy
Whether you believe in a higher power or think we “fade to black” when it’s all over, one truth remains: living a good life matters. When you care for others, open your mind to different perspectives, and truly appreciate how brief and precious our time on Earth is, you make the world just a little bit better. And isn’t that what we should all strive for?
So, as I step into the first day of my seventh decade, I’m making a promise—to myself and to those around me—to live better. To show up more fully in my personal life, to work harder for what’s right, and to nurture my spirit in whatever ways I can. Because the reality is, when we live with intention, kindness, and purpose, a small part of us carries on—through the lives we touch, the lessons we share, and the love we leave behind.
Here’s to living well and leaving something meaningful behind.
With reflection and hope,
Will
An Independent Defense Investigation: A Difference Maker.
An independent defense investigation is often the crucial difference-maker when facing Army misconduct allegations. Unlike the initial investigations that command pressures or incomplete narratives may influence, an independent investigation digs deep, scrutinizing every detail to uncover overlooked facts, procedural errors, or biases. This fresh perspective allows the defense to challenge flawed conclusions, expose weaknesses in the initial findings, and ensure that the client’s story is fully heard and fairly represented. For clients of the Law Office of Will M. Helixon, this rigorous approach has repeatedly transformed outcomes, turning uncertainty into relief and giving them back control over their future. An independent defense investigation is not just a strategy—it’s a lifeline for justice.
