No, it’s not a typographical error! I’ve started calling my small achievements “mildstones” because, although they are truly not Earth-shattering, they quake my life -- just a little. Every day, when I wake up, it is a minor miracle to me -- a precious gift of life. However, I have a special place in my heart for those days ending in two or more zeros.
For some reason, 1,600 sounds so much grander than 1,599…
Future Imperfect
What pleased me most during my last visit to Mayo Clinic, was talking to the doctors and nurses about my future. Until the last couple of visits, references to a future beyond my next scheduled visit in Rochester were few and far between, spoken of mostly in general terms. During the last visit, we talked about potential dates for stopping my anti-rejection medication and even my anti-leukemia medication. This is exciting stuff for someone who spent more than a year learning to live one-day-at-a-time, giving little or no attentions beyond getting out of bed tomorrow morning.
At various time Google has attributed to Cary Grant, Mickey Mantle, and George Burns this little quip: “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” Ditto!
“Selfie” is the Right Word
For more than five years, my focus has been on me. It is necessary when battling leukemia, graft-versus-host disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, pancreatitis, a gallbladder attack, COPD, pneumonia, and more to look in toward God and myself for the strength to fight. I have been monumentally self-involved, posting my own “selfies” and talking about my experiences. During that time, I learned a simple, obvious lesson -- the kind I don’t like to think about, because it makes me seem greedy and needy.
While I am thinking only about me, I don’t have time to think about, or worry about, you. It is nothing less than the complete demise of humility.
As I read through the news, the postings on Facebook and other social media, and listen to the pundits punting on television and radio, I hear me -- thinking only about me. I see and hear politicians striving for office, not to serve the public, but to get hired for a job. Last I heard, elected public service was not a career, not a way to gain, but a way to give. Last I heard, getting a job was a privilege to be earned, not a right to be granted. Last I heard, greed was a deadly sin and the chief attribute of villains, not the primary job skill to get ahead in the world. Last I heard, spending hours taking pictures of yourself was a negative character trait, not a hobby practiced world wide. Last I heard, taking offense involved violations, trespass, or insults, not a way to justify personal prejudice.
Maybe we need to take our eyes away from our smartphones, tablets, and screens, take a look around and realize that other folks inhabit this planet, and maybe need some help. Maybe we need to try a little humility -- i.e., think about ourselves just a little less. It might help clarify what needs to be done, and who needs to do it.
Thanks for listening. Good night and God bless!
Mick
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