What Is ArrfYl™? – And Why Should You Live It?
- Oct 29, 2024
- 4 min read
Danny Bader's is a near-death survivor, keynote speaker, best-selling author and podcast host. Danny brings a unique perspective and powerful message to his audiences,drawing from his own experiences to support, inspire and influence them on their life’s journey to greater levels of fulfillment and resilience always.
I’ve read many quotes from the Greek philosopher Socrates, and one of my favorites is ‘An unexamined life is not worth living.’ I disagree with the second part about “not worth living,” although many years ago, I did agree with this. I’ve been to the dark place of the Soul. I’ve been to the place some of us get to where despair, pain, anger, regret, and a lack of purpose, faith, and self-love consumed my thoughts and days like stormy waves battering the defenseless dunes. Thankfully, through my Faith and some wonderful people in my life, I did not let those thoughts win. Life is worth living.
Over the years, and having turned the big 6-0, I have taken my experiences, learnings, and insights and allowed them to be the foundation for a philosophy, a lifestyle I have worked to live and am more committed now to living in the rest of the days I have. I call it living with A Radical Reverence for Your Life, or arrfYl™. The principles of the arrfYl™ philosophy are connected to the first part of Socrates’ quote about examining life.
When I travel and deliver keynotes and workshops, many people tell me they are struggling with poor mental health and wellness, lack of purpose, and lack of balance…just to name a few. When I offer them my arrfYl™ philosophy, they agree that examining their life is something they should do more often. How about you? They agree that gaining clarity on their values and living them as they turn their visions to reality, as well as working to hold useful and positive thoughts, is the antidote for many of their struggles.
The practice of living with A Radical Reverence for Your Life (arrfYl™) is a mindset and discipline that encourages individuals to honor, value, and strongly respect their lives. It’s about recognizing the profound significance of your existence and living with intention, authenticity, and resilience. arrfYl™ guides you to appreciate life’s fragility while embracing its fullness, and it offers seven key principles to practice this:
1. Be more spirit
This principle calls for a deep connection with your inner self, or what some might call the Soul or Spirit. It's about tapping into your core energy and embracing that part of you that transcends the physical. Connecting with your Spirit helps foster a sense of purpose, peace, clarity, resilience, trust, and respect.
2. Live your truth
Living authentically is crucial to a fulfilling life. This means aligning your actions, words, and choices with who you truly are, not who society or others expect you to be. It's about being honest with yourself, embracing your uniqueness, and living your values.
3. Love your people fiercely
This is one of my favorite arrfYl™ practices. For me, the heart of a meaningful life is the love and connection we share with others. This principle encourages deep, unconditional love for the essential people in your life—family, friends, and partners—and prioritizes those relationships. It brings to life the wonderful definition of love I read from Robert Heinlein: “Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
4. Trust you are a resilient human being
Life is filled with challenges, struggles, and setbacks. This principle is about believing in your innate ability to overcome them. It has to do with being more Spirit (remember that one?). Resilience is vital to navigating hardships, and trusting that you have the strength, support, and trust to move through life’s ups and downs is empowering.
5. Embrace the struggle
Struggle and suffering are inevitable and can be valuable growth opportunities. This mindset and practice is about willingly accepting where you are in life and the brutal facts you face. It’s about surrendering to where you are…not out of weakness, but rather out of wisdom. It’s not about ignoring, minimizing, or sugar-coating the facts. It is about not surrendering to staying in the struggle. It’s about taking action, seeking support, and building momentum forward. Embracing challenges rather than resisting them allows for deeper learning, personal development, insight, and strength.
6. Always work to better
This arrfYl™ practice is about doing the work you need to do. You don’t try to do the work; you commit to doing it. Some days, you do it better than others…and you do it. Continuous improvement is an essential part of living with arrfYl™. This principle encourages avoiding complacency and the “valley of the victim” and striving for growth in all areas—mentally, physically, emotionally, and Spiritually.
7. Contemplate your mortality
Reflecting on the finite nature of life can instill a deeper appreciation for every moment. It should not be a sad, morbid, or depressing thought. No, it should be an inspiring, empowering attitude of focus, joy, and commitment. By contemplating mortality, we are reminded to make the most of our time, live purposefully, and cherish every experience. The Stoic Marcus Aurelius captured it simply and powerfully when he said, “ You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do, and say, and think.” Right on, Marcus.
Together, these principles form the foundation for living with a radical reverence for your life (arrfYl™), promoting a life of meaning, resilience, love, and authenticity. I encourage you to begin experimenting with practicing these principles of arrfYl™…trust me…you will be glad you do.
Danny Bader, Keynote Speaker, Author
Danny Bader's transformation from a harrowing near-death experience to a source of inspiration is indeed remarkable. His journey highlights the incredible resilience of the human Spirit and serves as a testament to the power of turning adversity into growth and opportunity. As a keynote speaker, best-selling author, and podcast host, Danny uses his experiences to craft a message that touches and resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. His unique perspective allows him to connect with people on a profound level, offering them not just motivation, but tangible strategies for navigating life's challenges to create greater levels of fulfillment and resilience always.
