In More Ways Than One

For Both Of Us…

When I had my annual check up in August, I learnt that I have the same terminal lung disease my twin died of last year. I have about 5 – 7 years to live.

The news was very disappointing.

Just As Everything Else Was Getting Better

If there’s one thing I have emulated my mother in, it’s persistence. And it’s paid off; I’m more confident, well-informed, socially functional, content and useful than I have ever been. That may not be saying much, in light of how psychologically crippled I was in my salad days. But it’s been worth it. I’m glad I’ve lived long enough to reach this point. Longevity has much to recommend it, if it is used well, which is why I posted Impactful Living the day after I heard the news.

Not Dead Yet

I have many things I want to do that now have to be concentrated into a shorter time span. I don’t intend to waste it. I’m writing two books and I will continue learning and posting on this blog.

Departing in Discordant Times

We live in times of discord, in which income and asset inequality are extreme. This is preventing us from responding effectively as a collective to the plurality of challenges facing us. As we bicker over culture and ideology, our ecology and climate are going pear-shaped. Just the other day, another reminder came out that we are spoiling our own nest. Cancer rates in adolescents and young adults are on the rise and apart from changes in screening practices, the culprits appear to be lifestyle factors and environmental influences (pollution), such as forever chemicals (PFAS). Modern metropolitan lifestyles normalize these unhealthy habits. Processed food, enclosed, temperature controlled environments, EMR and chemicals in everything from furniture to cosmetics… look like preparation for a long-term journey into outer-space.

If it’s been days since you were outside with the sun and breeze on your face, touching plants rooted in soil, something’s wrong.

I fear some very painful lessons are on the near horizon. From that point of view, I’m not so sorry to be going sooner rather than later. Despite personal misfortunes, I was fortunate to be born at a time of great optimism.

So far, I haven’t identified anyone to be Executor of my Will, so my plan is to arrange things such that I don’t need one.