Summary

The article reflects on the sudden death of the author's dear friend and dentist, emphasizing the importance of valuing and spending time with family over material provision.

Abstract

The author shares a personal story about the unexpected passing of a close friend who was also his dentist. The news of the friend's death prompts the author to ponder the fragility of life and the significance of cherishing every moment. He recalls the friend's estrangement from his children, which adds to the sense of loss and regret. The article underscores the message that providing for one's family financially is not a substitute for the emotional bond and time spent with them. It encourages readers to reevaluate their priorities, urging them to appreciate the "miracle of movement" and the preciousness of life, and to not take their loved ones for granted. The author concludes with a call to action to prioritize family and to make the most of the present to avoid future regret.

Opinions

The author believes that time spent with family is more valuable than financial provision.
There is a strong emphasis on the importance of being present and engaged with loved ones.
The article suggests that the routine actions of daily life are miraculous and should not be taken for granted.
The author expresses regret over his friend's strained relationship with his children and implies that reconciliation should be sought while there's still time.
The author challenges the societal definitions of success and failure, advocating for personal definitions based on relationships and experiences rather than material achievements.
A sense of urgency is conveyed, stressing that tragedy can strike at any moment, and thus the importance of acting now to avoid regret later.

LIFE | PHILOSOPHY | LESSON

Life In A Minute

The untold story until, YOU are THE statistic

I received terrible news about a friend of mine. He was my dentist too. He missed a day at his clinic, the same day I was due for some dental work. I asked about him, and they said he was taking the day off.

That evening, I received a call from his assistant, telling me that he had passed away that afternoon. She called me because they all knew how dear he was to me — and the other way around.

He was a dear friend to me and to the whole family. We all cried when we got the news. We could not believe it.

I was with him twice the week before and the day before he passed away. How could he just up and die? He was not old. He was in fairly good health. He was someone I admired. He was someone dear to my heart.

For the next two days, I could not stop thinking — about the countless discussions we had and the thought-provoking questions we posed to each other. I remembered how on first brush; his abruptness quickly gave way to reveal such a generous man with a truly lovely heart.

How? In a minute, he was gone.

I then remembered that he was not on talking terms with his kids. Boy, did I feel bad about this! I had a terrible, inexplicable feeling. I did not know what to feel — sad, angry, what?

Worse, I did not know if I should feel sad for him or for his kids.

It’s all over in a minute.

What do I do now? Why am I making this about me?

Providing FOR your kids is not providing YOUR kids.

It’s that simple. Don’t think it. Don’t overthink it. It is exactly as I said it.

Be there for your wife and kids. Your time is your most precious asset. They need you. They need your time, not any other asset. The more you think about this, the more you realize how much you need them too. You just don’t know it.

We take things for granted. Really!

Picture this: You wake up, get out of bed, slide into your bathroom, and get on with your daily routine.

What if I told you — imagine for a second — this 15-minute routine spent staring at your ceiling! Let’s continue: Imagine this routine is your every day, every moment you are awake, every time you open your eyes and every time you fall asleep. The first and the last thing you do and see… You stare yourself to sleep, staring at the ceiling…

So, next time you wake up, think about the miracle of movement, how many intricate and minute wonders take place — as your leg slides off the bed, as you sit up, as you stand and head for the bathroom — for your morning “routine.”

Do you know how many muscles you moved in those 10 seconds? Do you know how many neurons your brain fired in those brief moments? Do you know how many new cells were born or purged?

What do you know?

For me, I know that every time I wake up, I am thankful. I know I remind myself to thank God for another day — another glimpse at my daughters, another touch of my wife’s hand.

I know that I am thankful for every breath I take.

Most importantly, I know not to take anything for granted, especially life itself.

I know I do not need a tragedy to rethink how I prioritize my time. Do you?

I know that working so hard to provide for my family means missing the very essence of time with my family — these hidden moments that happen once and cannot be repeated.

I know not to define myself by how society tries to convince us that we are a failure or a success. Who are you really failing here?

If you are someone who is always busy, after reading this, think. Are you going to try and build the next Amazon by trading your time for your family and loved ones? Ask yourself, will I spend more time with my daughters?

Choose today, right now, to rearrange your priorities around what truly matters. Will you choose time with loved ones, or will you open the doors for regret?

I only hope that after reading this, you will make more time for your FAMILY too, before it’s too late. Tragedy strikes at any moment. So, make the most of now to spare yourself the regret of later.

Disclaimer:

Article photo by Bhawana priyadarshini on Unsplash