Self-evaluation and outside input
Who is responsible for your wellness? Setting the direction of this post, let’s accept that each individual is responsible for their own life with the exception of the mentally impaired. I make the decisions that impact my life. Success is the sum of small efforts – repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier. We don’t get do-overs. We only have what we’ll do next. Chris Simon. To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves. Virginia Woolf. Life is a sum of all your choices. Albert Camus. Especially as a terminally diagnosed person, I am heavily focused and concentrated on living well every day. Unashamedly, I am self-centered in promoting what adds to my health and happiness. However, no man is an island, and I know from experience and book knowledge that we do best when we live with others in mind. How do I mesh taking care of myself first and having a mind to care about the things and lives of others? Let’s start with the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Ancient Book. While dying, someone with a Hispanic spelled name looked outside of his dilemma to see to it that his mother was cared for by someone he loved and trusted. I can’t be all consumed with myself and forget the concerns of others. Application: I can’t just talk about me and my issues when I have a visitor. It’s appropriate to ask how they are doing and to listen well. Some will give you a pass because you’re sick. But don’t be a sick-ass. Live in the moment and give the person in front of you undivided attention. I think it rude to be talking on the phone or texting while supposedly visiting with someone. The most important person is the one in front of me. What they are experiencing and what they have to say is what is most important in that moment. A lot goes into managing your mental, emotional, and physical health. Don’t apologize for having to exclude the people who are outside the parameters for your good health. Remember, just live, Baby, is first on the list of priorities. When lives are at stake, and the ship is going down, throw all the nonessentials overboard. Tell them sorry, but Simplysaidbysimon, you have got to go. It’s everyone for his or herself when you’re about to die. Okay, not anytime soon. That would mess up my plans for watching the Chiefs three-peat. ALS – Always Leave Smiling.
