Human Again
Human again. I am getting closer. We’ve all had periods in our lives where the darkness ruled. Some of it was due to our decisions, while others were beyond our control. I not too long ago, wrote about my long work hours during COVID. When pretty much the whole world closed down, I opened up my practice 18 hours a day. For 3 years, I worked long hours, 7 days a week. Sure the money was good. I mean really good. And during that time, wife and I were able to travel every month. So it wasn’t all darkness. But there was a cost.
Today I was meditating on that period in my life. I worked around the clock, because I knew that it was going to take a toll on many. Long term isolation leads to depression, social anxiety, over consumption in drug and alcohol use, to just name a few. Throw in domestic discord, oh yeah, now we’re talking the perfect storm. So I jumped in head first, with the hopes to at least minimize these negative effects for a few.
I am tired. I mentioned not long ago that I didn’t think I did any permanent damage. Today, I’m not so sure. Be that the case, I have cut my work days down from 18 to 11 hours a day. I feel my body is playing catch up. So what did I learn? I learned that a life of service is who I am, not what I do. I learned having a supportive spouse is truly one of the greatest blessings on earth. And finally I learned, while the money and travel were great, having down time to explore and decompress from that experience is more valuable.
This is a time of priorities. This is a time to pour into my wife, as she loaned me out to my patients. This is a time to pour into me, as I have poured into others. This is time to be a human again. You may get sidetracked. You may even be lost. So when you find yourself on level ground, it is important to invest in your priorities. And I pray you are at that top of that list.
Would I do it all over again? Well, when it comes to a global crisis, I know that I would. {Whatever your thoughts are on COVID, I assure you that I don’t care.} When people are suffering, I believe it is our duty to lend a hand. I believe that kindness is the price of the human experience. And that currency will help us feel connected and human again…when we feel all is lost.
I’m not there yet, but I am on my way. I soon hope to be human again.
