The winter of 2018 in Europe was severe. We had a few heavy snowfalls. During one of those days, while shoveling snow gathered on top of my car, I experienced a pain in the right shoulder. Ignoring it just as a pulled muscle, it soon elevated to run up towards the right side of my neck, causing me a lot of discomfort. Massages and a bit of therapy did not work and soon I was advised to seek professional medical assistance. I was finally recommended to undergo a MR (Magnetic Resonance) Scan. Here is where this story begins!
The attendant preparing me for scanning instructed me that I will have to remain absolutely still (without moving). She would strap me and lay me inside the machine for a total of 30 minutes! She said that the machine would make strange noises while scanning and that I will have ear plugs on. In spite of that, the sound could still be a bit intimidating. Stillness is what was important as she warned me that if I move my body, the machine will not be able to do its job. I could also be at risk of harming myself and that we may have to do it all over again thus prolonging the entire process. I asked her again if I heard her well, that it will take a minimum of 30 minutes. She said a firm YES!
I am a sensor by nature (a personality trait that exudes energy in one way or the other through movements) and thus had to be mentally prepared for two challenges:
· To remain still
· To handle off weird noises
The first question that came to my mind was “Can I trust this machine for 30 minutes to do me no harm? What if it malfunctions and crushes me? I had no answer but to just have faith and hope that it will not. I realized that if I did my part of my job well and followed instructions, the machine will do its job.
When human error is not involved, technology will make sure that all things will work almost perfectly.
Conscious not to move any part of my body, I pictured it to laying still as dead in my coffin. The machine started and I shut my eyes. Darkness invaded me and I waited for the 30 minutes to tick by. My mind wandered to many areas of my life-past, present, future and even life after death. My life thus far flashed like a documentary in front me.
30 minutes seems like eternity when you are caged! By the time the process ended, I had these following thoughts, some general, some very personal.
· Our bodies are temporary structures and will crack with age.
· Health is the most important thing, much more important than wealth.
· Our body commands respect and thus we must have a healthy lifestyle.
· Death will surely catch up with all of us someday.
· We can delay the inevitable, but we cannot deny and escape it.
· We must love more and hate less.
· We must complain less and be thankful more.
· Showing kindness is a choice that all of us can exercise at will.
· Love your near and dear ones while you are alive.
· Ask for forgiveness and learn to say sorry if you must.
· Character is more important as it touches our conscious.
· I have a wonderful wife and two lovely daughters.
· I have been selfish at times.
· I have made mistakes. A few careless and a few terrible.
· I have been foolish on some occasions to squander money.
· Time is precious, and I have been guilty of wasting it on many occasions.
· Life is precious and very short as compared to eternity.
· I am not prepared for it yet.
· There is so much that I can do and must do.
The machine beeped. It was done. I had survived!
Sometimes, it is necessary to walk by faith and not by sight, believing that all will be well in the end.
Was it over for me? Not really, I felt that this experience was like I had an encounter with myself. As I marched towards the changing room, I made a resolve to start life over again and make the rest of my life count.
My message for you:
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching!
Therefore:
· Rewind: Take stock of your life thus far. Be still. You can focus your mind in spite of the noises around and within you.
· Reflect: It helps us to re-focus on the essentials.
· Reset: Stop scheduling your priorities, rather prioritize your schedules.
· Renew: Live life intentionally by design and not by default.
When was the last time you remained still (read calm) and/or fought off weird noises (read DE-clutter)? Do leave your comments below.
Dr. Owen Fernandes MBA, Ph.D.
