Life has a way of surprising us.
Toward the end of 2011, I went to the doctor for a minor health complaint. When the problem didn’t clear up after a few weeks of treatment, the doctor recommended further testing, including a CT scan. The day following the test, my doctor phoned to tell me that the scan had revealed a "shadow" on my liver. Further testing confirmed that it was a tumor. It has subsequently been determined to be (thankfully) benign, but I will be followed for changes over the next several months. Assuming the tumor does not grow larger and impact other organs, the prognosis is excellent. I am grateful. I like being alive.
But this experience, combined with others in 2011, caused me to decide to make some changes in my life. I decided to take singer/songwriter James Taylor's advice and pursue the "Secret O' Life"; enjoying the passage of time. (If you don’t know this song, take some time to check it out on YouTube, or read the lyrics here. The wisdom is profound.)
I retired from corporate life after nearly thirty years of contribution "to the cause". I got a puppy. I took up painting again. I signed up to audit courses in philosophy, physiology and, best of all, wine appreciation. In other words, I have begun to fill my life with things that contribute to my enjoyment of the passing of time.
And time is passing. A surprise diagnosis reminded me that life is so very, very short. Even if we live one hundred years, there is so little time left and life is so full of things to learn and do and enjoy…
Many of you may have made resolutions for the year 2012. Are they things that will contribute to your enjoyment of the passing of time? If you knew your time was short, would you make different choices? Would you rearrange your priorities? Would you stop sweating "the small stuff" (i.e., who said what, what others think of you, how you look, etc.)?
My sincere thanks to each of those of you who took the time to ask if I was okay and to let me know how much this blog means to you. I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue to share my thoughts on life with each of you through The Wick. Doing so contributes to my enjoyment of life.
I hope reading it adds enjoyment to yours.
