It’s amazing how life can change in a moment without notice.
I am a big advocate for being thankful for the things you have in your life today, such as family, friends, and your health. So many in society are always seeking more, totally unappreciative of what they have, often much more than most have, and are trying to achieve things well beyond their means at any cost.
All too frequently I have seen life altering events happen without notice, permanently changing someone’s life. It is only then if the individual survives the event that true appreciation for what they had sets in.
Case in point. Tuesday I had a family friend out at the office changing over some electrical switches and things. He recently retired at the ripe age of 57 and had just started his own electrical contracting business. I spoke at length to him about his plans for his new business, as well as how his family was doing. I have known him on and off for the past 20 years.
The very next day we received the call. Took the wind right out of my sail.
Out of the blue, healthy, in good shape, a non-smoker, he suffered a stroke. I just saw him not 24 hours ago, happy, healthy and in great spirits. Now he was residing in a hospital bed with paralysis to his right side, including his right arm and leg. He couldn’t talk or stick out his tongue, and the right side of his face had the typical stroke droop.
Events like this one are what keep me grounded and appreciative for what I have, for I clearly realize in a blink of an eye it could be gone.
Take a moment today to look around and appreciate all the good things you have in your life.