A Short Book Review and the Meaning of Life

   A view from Bend earlier this year.

Since the beginning of the year, I've been traveling down the thematic path of ensuring I live consciously, mindfully, and meaningfully. My wise husband, who I've long suspected is naturally more insightful than I, even though I'm the one with the degrees and training, has pointed out that "You seem to be going through something." Yup, I'd say that's right on. Apparently, that's how I roll on the eve of turning 62.

Last post was about my mother and how I both include her in my birthday celebrations (at least in my thoughts) and feel relief at living longer than she did. Earlier in the year, I wrote a post discussing various essays and the book Being Mortal all of which focused, to certain degrees, on living fully, deliberately with whatever time we have. (See link below).

https://50bedsgapyear.blogspot.com/2016_02_07_archive.html

Buddhist monks meditate on photos of decaying corpses as a way of remembering that the physical self is fleeting. This monk photographed in Bangkok on our recent trip is waiting for a bus. Perhaps he'll meditate once onboard.

Without being entirely aware of my personal timeline, I set out in January on a mini quest to 
discover my own path toward living more completely and consciously with my June birthday as the loose end-date of the quest. In my existential trek toward more mindful living, I inadvertently saved the best and saddest guide for the last.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, MD

Since I knew how his story plays out before I read the book, I wasn't looking to learn from 
the final outcome, but rather I was seeking the emotional pleasure of joining Dr. Kalanithi's 
journey in puzzling through what makes life meaningful. My trek with him did not disappoint.

This is a rich book, one filled with thoughtful reflections and I could have filled this blog with quote after quote. But just as I plan to restrict myself to one dessert on my birthday, I decided in an effort to not spoil this book for those planning to read it to select just one quote that illuminates his message.

Toward the last third of his memoir, when he is..challenged he writes

“That morning, I made a decision: I would push myself to return to the OR. Why? Because I could. Because that’s who I was. Because I would have to learn to live in a different way, seeing death as an imposing itinerant visitor but knowing that even if I’m dying, until I actually die, I am still living" (p. 190).

I love this book. I love the essays written by Kalanithi and later by his wife Lucy. I have learned from their experiences.

But now it is time to apply all my good existential learning.
Soon I'm off to celebrate and to cycle, to ponder and to drink some wine. That's what we do at 62.