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Fragility


Last night I received a call from my dad, asking me if I could join him today for a meeting with his cardiologist to discuss surgery options. It was not a call I was expecting to get. My dad climbs at least 3-4 mountains a week and is in better shape today, at 68, than he was at 38. He appeared to be in perfect health.

As we talked, my dad explained to me that he recently had a checkup and they did an EKG, testing his heart function. After seeing some abnormalities, his doctor referred him to the cardiologist, who ordered further testing. As they progressed through the battery of tests, the angiogram showed nearly complete blockage in two arteries. My dad, one of the healthiest people I know, is now potentially facing double bypass surgery.

This has all been a reminder of how quickly life can change as well the preciousness of each moment. Not one of us is promised another day. King David wrote, “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind passes over it, it is no more.” Our days are as priceless as they are fleeting. We can’t afford to waste the time we are allotted on this earth.

Although our lives are like a brief flash of light that quickly disappears into the darkness, that flash can been seen by many against the backdrop of the night sky. Your words, your action and your heart can shine brightly in a world that desperately seeks connection, hope and significance. I believe each one of us brings talents and abilities into this world, but those gifts can only be delivered if you are willing to be intentional. Too many waste their time here on earth, only to languish in their own regret and shame, dying with their song unsung. Live your life with determined and deliberate action each and every day, because it’s too precious to live any other way. No one is entitled to tomorrow. Live accordingly.

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