Michael Waters died more than twenty years ago but will still make it to his brother’s wedding next month.

There’s a story behind that.

This is your daily message from Chad number 1159 to upgrade your mental game today by telling yourself a better story, because the most important story you hear is the story you tell yourself. And this message is dedicated to Brooklyn Dotson. You can get a free copy of my book, The Most Powerful Story in the World, a tool for upgrading the story you tell yourself, by going to fromchad.gumroad.com. The transcript of this message and hundreds of others are always available at http://www.fromchad.com.

Here’s the upgrade:

You may never see how far your good goes, but upgraded thinking knows that one small yes can continue your story long after you’re gone.

Here’s the story:

In Kentucky, a baby named Brooklyn was born with a rare liver condition. She was months old when the doctors ran out of options. They told her mother to call the funeral home and make arrangements. The doctors gave her three days to live.

In Ohio, a ten-year-old boy named Michael had already made up his mind about something most grown men avoid. He told his family he wanted to be an organ donor. He was the kind of kid who’d do anything for anybody. Taught his little brother to ride a bike. Sat with him through surgeries. His family said he was an old soul, very mature for his age.

Then Michael was hit by a car and killed. In the worst week of their lives, his parents honored his wish. His heart, his lungs, his kidneys, his eyes all went to strangers. And his liver went to a dying baby girl in Kentucky named Brooklyn. She lived and is now 24.

The two families stayed in touch. Brooklyn grew up knowing Michael’s little brother, Noah. Childhood friends. Then they were FaceTiming eight hours a day. Then it was more than friendship. Noah proposed last Christmas Eve. And next month on September 26th, Brooklyn walks down the aisle to marry the brother of the boy whose liver saved her life.

Noah said, “I had no idea that my brother was gonna save my wife’s life twenty years later.” Michael never saw any of it. He said his one yes, and then he was gone. But that yes is still moving and part of the making of a marriage.

The better story to tell yourself is, “My yes doesn’t need to see the result.” You will not see most of where your good lands. That’s not a reason to hold it back. That’s the reason to give it now.

By the way, another person who will be in attendance will be the man who received Michael’s heart.

Tell me a story of a small yes that changed a life to fromchadsmith@gmail.com. Send someone a text and ask them, “Are you an organ donor?”