I’m late on my monthly newsletter.
My friend died.
My friend died of metastatic bone cancer.
My friend was 47.
Despite having multiple surgeries and being in constant pain, spending several days in a coma, multiple days in the hospital every few months, my friend had the best attitude. 5am workouts on the treadmill, even after he had part of his tibia and femur removed and replaced with an implant. He encouraged his team to do pushups and sit-ups daily. So. Many. Pushups! He didn’t complain. He worked, he traveled, he kept his life in perspective. He was a fighter. He was a Navy veteran.
My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer last November. My friend called and checked in with my husband regularly despite his own, much more serious, battle. He would ask him “how art thou spirits?” My friend honestly wanted to know how my husband was doing. Not just the obligatory “how are you” without really wanting the answer. He offered advice to my husband and a listening ear. My husband made a full recovery.
My friend was rare. He did not complain. He lived life to the fullest.
Why am I sharing such a personal experience with you? Well, my friend also had a saying, his email signature in fact.
That is what he did. In everything that he did. For his friends, for his family, for strangers, for his physical and mental health, for life.
Often we get stuck in our daily routine at the office of just doing the work. It is important to take time to get to know one another, not just for what we do at the office, but for who we are outside of the office. Taking an extra second or two to greet our coworkers by name, saying thank you and goodbye at the end of the day. Checking in with each other and meaning it. Develop those relationships. Not only for the betterment of your practice but also for yourself. The social interaction and true connection.
My friend did not want to die. My friend wanted to live. My friend was at peace when his time did come because of his connections and his outlook and the time he took to experience life and the people in it. Including at work.
A few weeks ago we held a celebration of life for my friend. His parents and wife hosted it. Going in, most of us didn’t know anyone else there, or maybe only 1 or 2 others. By the end of the evening we were all laughing, crying, connecting and sharing contact information with each other. Reminiscing over stories and the common connection that we all had. A friend that was the epitome of friendship.
The Oxford Dictionary defines a Friend as:
A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection (a gentle feeling of fondness or linking), typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.
I think there should be a picture of my friend next to that definition. I miss my friend, but as a result of his death, I gained several more friends. And we all have a new, wonderful memory made around his loss.
Tomorrow, the next day, and the next day when you are at the office, or the grocery store, or the gym, take a moment and check in with someone. Ask how they are, and mean it. Listen and act with compassion and Give it Your Bestest!
Did you know Sarah Clark Consulting offers a FREE practice self-assessment? CLICK HERE to take the one minute assessment and get some great information to keep the smile on your face while making your practice more efficient!
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