My mom nervously awaited the results of a recent mammogram. When the doctor called and confirmed that the results were ready for viewing, we rushed to the computer and filled in her login info.
When I was younger, I never knew when my mom was getting tested for a mammogram. The results were something she dealt with herself. I never thought twice about the outcome.
However, this time, something was different. These results felt like my own. A knot formed in my stomach as we watched the page refresh. We got lucky this time: all clear.
Over the past year, I saw family members who were seemingly healthy leave the world the next day, friends of friends drop on the floor with failing hearts, cancer diagnoses all too soon.
Of course, these things happen every year, but it takes seeing the outcomes firsthand to truly understand. It takes more than a flash on the screen for it to hit home.
You are not invincible. None of us are saved from the indomitable forces of life. And the sooner you realize this, the better.
[pullequote]You are not invincible. None of us are saved from the indomitable forces of life. And the sooner you realize this, the better.[/pullquote]
I did not come to truly understand this until recently. I unintentionally gave myself all the time in the world — all the time to say what I really wanted to say, all the time to reach my goals, all the time to let go, all the time to live.
Now, if I told you that you had one year to complete the first thing on your bucket list, would you do it tomorrow? How about if I told you that you had one day to complete the first thing on your bucket list? Would you do it right now?
I don't know how many days are left for me or all the people I love. But I do know that when you think you have all the time in the world, you take your time.
Lee Iacocca gives you your answer if you are wondering how to embrace a new mindset:
So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.
Start small with little changes that help lead you to your goals.
If you'd like to get in good shape, instead of pressuring yourself with intense workouts and strict eating regimes, tell yourself you will workout for 30 minutes a day.
Then, when 30 gets too easy, work up to an hour. Whatever it is, just start it. Go for it knowing that you don't know how much time is left.
The sooner you burst your bubble of invincibility, the sooner you start living. You don't know when your clock will stop ticking, so what are you waiting for?
The sooner you burst your bubble of invincibility, the sooner you start living. You don't know when your clock will stop ticking, so what are you waiting for?
When that next round of test results roll in for you or anyone you love, my wish is that you are nervous but confident — confident that the life you have lived is one of love, confident that the life you have lived is one you have not settled for.
The thought of seeing my mom test positive for cancer left me feeling faint as I watched the page refresh. However, when I look at my mom and all she has taught me, I am confident that our time spent together here has been one for the books.
Although we may not be invincible, no force on Earth can take away a love like that.
