The hallway had smooth, high-gloss floors and wavy, high-gloss composite stone walls. This combination, with the addition of delayed lighting and limited skylights, made for unusual reflections. As I looked through the reflective darkness and light, I wondered if I knew the beginning from the end and what my view of the journey down the tunnel of life would have been. I suspect that I would have agreed with the old author’s observation: “But luckier than the dead or the living is the person who has never even been, who has never seen the bad business that takes place on this earth.” (Ecclesiastes 4.3) Yet, with the benefit of time and survival, I appreciate my opportunity to care and make a difference.
Each day is an opportunity. In pain and celebration, there will be opportunities to support those around us. In despair and celebration, one can bring hope from within as a positive force for good. Across each day, I have faith that I will find doorways, windows, and opportunities to bring compassion, kindness, and care to the present. What follows is a question I must answer given my freedom, resources, and abilities. Whatever my choice, in action to words and action, it will be the story and partial revelation of who I am.
The priority I am first accountable for is the care of myself. Life has had to repeatedly and at times bluntly remind me of this. When I take care of this by dedicating my best time early in the day, my other priorities fall into place. I have come to see this investment as a building and regular maintenance of my life’s foundation, critical to everything that can follow. With the self-care work in place, I am in a position to be authentically compassionate, courageously kind, and relentlessly caring. While I do not always bring my best to the moment, I know there is no chance without the early investment.
Life’s tunnel is hard to see and even harder to navigate. Each step is an opportunity to share hope, kindness, and care.
