Embracing the Unexpected

“My mom has been waiting at the hospital for so long, and yet you’re still asking us to wait?” The frustration in the patient’s family was palpable, even though the curtain that separated us. To my right, a young man coughed intermittently, while the hurried footsteps of hospital staff echoed through the ward, rushing to assist newly admitted patients.

As I stepped out from behind the curtain, I caught sight of a nurse pushing a gurney with a patient who had a leg injury. At that moment, I felt overwhelmed by the chaos around me. Yet, I couldn’t help but respect the dedication of the hospital staff, tirelessly working to care for their patients.

My dad suggested I take a nap while we awaited test results, but sleep eluded me. The sounds of conversations and activity surrounded me kept my mind racing, while he, undisturbed, took Panadol tablets and drifted off peacefully.

Those two hours felt interminable, as if time itself had paused. This unexpected waiting game reminded me of life’s fragility and the importance of prioritizing family. No matter how meticulously we plan, life can throw us curveballs. As a daughter, I realized I needed to be stronger - mentally and physically - for my father, ready to support and console him during this stressful time. The exhaustion of navigating the hospital environment was a small price to pay for being there for loved ones in need.

Another incident reinforced the importance of living in the moment and valuing our health. A friend of mine received a devastating diagnosis; “You’ve been diagnosed with cancer.” The shock left her in disbelief, prompting her to seek a second opinion. Fortunately, it turned out to be a misdiagnosis; the lump was non-cancerous. This experience transformed her perspective, shifting from a career-driven mindset to embracing a “You Only Live Once (YOLO)” approach.

Inspired by these reflections, I set a personal goal: to prioritize my health. Since downloading the BookDoc app in July, I’ve re-committed to an active lifestyle, participating in virtual runs from Osaka to Copenhagen, and aiming for 100,000 steps each month. I’ve exceeded my goal, averaging 7,400 steps daily.?

The key takeaway? Health is paramount. We must take charge of our well-being because, ultimately, no one else can bear our pain for us. While loved ones can provide comfort, true happiness and the ability to support others stem from being healthy ourselves. So, let’s make a conscious effort to dedicate time to our health and well-being.?

After all, life is too precious to neglect.?

#HealthMatters #FamilyFirst #MindfulLiving #WellnessJourney #SupportSystem