A recent event in my family has inspired in me the desire to discuss taking care of ourselves. It seems obvious that our personal well-being is critical not only to us, but to those around us.
Both my Wife and I have been raised to work hard, be fair, and to treat others with compassion. Her Brother is also a very hard worker. He doesn't hesitate to put in extra hours, either in the office, or for his kids. My niece and nephew are great kids and they are kept busy by participating in after school sports. League soccer to be exact.
He is a professional in every respect in his job, having been promoted from essentially the basement floor to a very important part of the administration of his institution. Working hard, extra-time, and reliable service has gotten him there.
In his spare time, he lives his life for his kids the same way. Keeping up with league soccer is very difficult, especially when my niece is a star at her level. Schedules are crazy, and hours can vary from early morning until late in the evening, even on the same day.
Currently, he has pneumonia. The kids might have brought something home, or he might have picked up something in one of these events. Who knows? However, being true to his work and his kids, he failed to take care of himself. What was a mild infection turned into ten days of serious bronchial distress that almost put him in the hospital. Even now, he's not out of the woods, essentially forced to bed-rest.
What is ironic is that he is a member of one of the best health programs in America, supported by an institution known for leading medical research and breakthroughs. The real cost to him was just a little time to keep his little infection from becoming several weeks of bed-ridden agony.
It makes me think about the many times I have put something off, expecting to handle it just a little later. Time management is important, but so is health. Without health, the other things in life fall into insignificance.
We can use the delay tactic on most things, but failing at this one thing can put everything else in jeopardy. Is your time so important that you can take that risk? You deserve to be healthy and well. Make it your number one priority.
Stephen Opal
