Life Changing Words of Wisdom From a Stranger

(Editor's note about the author: T.O. Illustratio is a free lance writer and observer of the interaction of personalities in everyday life. The author seeks to inspire readers to look within themselves to see how much good they can do in this world when a definitive purpose in life is clear.)

The sudden awakening into a room filled with machines connected to wires and tubes that were then connected to him caused confusion and stark bewilderment. Perhaps there would have been paralyzing fear had he not heard the familiar voice asking, "Bill, can you hear me?" It was his cardiologist. His doctor was always calm or at least presented the persona of someone in complete control of his emotions. He was also straight-forward in his direction. Only a few months before, his doctor had offered the cryptic words of wisdom that were now playing out in front of him. "If you don't balance your life, you will be seeing me in an emergency room some day." And now he was in that spot.

He was able to gather enough composure to ask, "What happened to me?" He seemed to recollect chest pain, nausea, and trouble breathing, but after that, nothing. His doctor related the next events including how his long-time housekeeper had possibly saved his life today. "Rose saw you in your office, slumped over your desk. She called 911 and began chest compressions. You are lucky she was around there."

Rose was always where she should be, whenever she should be there. She had patched him up from his history of self-inflicted wounds. She sternly admonished him for his selfishness and insensitivity to his subordinates. Rose offered her own words of wisdom over the years, telling him that if he continued to place his personal agenda and career targets ahead of his family, he would lose them some day.

She had agreed to stay with him when he moved out the family home, although she never stopped telling him to reach out to his family, to apologize, and ask to come home. Suggestions he never gave enough consideration to effect change of heart. Now his actual heart had changed in terms of performance.

His cardiologist told Bill his wife and daughters had been called and were on their way to the hospital. Bill didn't think they needed to change holiday plans for him. He didn't expect to spend much time with them now anyway. Business was booming and there was always another deadline.

In telling fashion, Bill asked if his assistant had been notified because he needed to get some work done today that was urgent. The next words of wisdom from his cardiologist explained that after they get him stabilized, he would come back and give Bill a lesson on the definition of urgent. Bill shook his head with derision. The doctor didn't get it. No one got it. No one knew how important his work was and how only he could do it.

Words of Wisdom From A Stranger

Words of wisdom are curious concepts. They have power to improve life situations, but only if used. Sometimes they are like the fire alarm that gets pulled when the flames are raging. But with better prior planning, with improved emphasis on personal responsibility, the smoke and heat might have been avoided altogether, before extensive damage occurred.

These gems of insight can shine light on imminent danger, but if ignored, become like the small print on cigarette packages telling of certain health risks, now more prominent in the minds of those with lung cancer.

Words of wisdom are similar to tools that make our lives more productive, more pleasurable, more gratifying. But only if those tools are given their proper respect and utilization.

Bill would be getting some of those pearls of wisdom again soon, this time from an unlikely stranger. As he began the slow recovery process, he was visited by a volunteer. This man was older than Bill and had that character trait Bill found so grating and annoying. This volunteer was always in a good mood. He told Bill what a great day was dawning and how things would work out. He related that he would be in the hospital all through the long two-week holiday period and would be happy to serve Bill in any way he was able.

Bill wondered why anyone would volunteer to be in this place for two weeks, anytime of the year. The nurses and doctors were all professional and attentive, but even they spoke of wishing to be home for the holidays. For Bill, this season had lost it's magic anyway. But still he wondered. What is the story behind this guy?

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his wife and two daughters. It was uncomfortable immediately as they entered the room to see the tubes and machines. Adding to the tension level was the fact that the family was splintered into two households.

And then the well-meaning advice began. "Dad, you need to listen to your doctor and take better care of yourself. Why don't you let us help you?" After what seemed like hours, but was probably only a few minutes, Bill made his next mistake. "If you want to help me, tell them to allow my assistant in here. I need to get some work done." That effectively ended this visit. Bill couldn't understand why his wife just didn't get it? She had been so involved in the launch of their business years ago.

"Tell Me Your Story!"

As the hours became days, and those repetitive visits from that volunteer continued, Bill finally asked the nurse in charge what that guy was all about. She told him the volunteer was always here, especially on days when volunteers were scarce. She suggested that they might have something in common, having observed Bill during his stay on her floor. Bill didn't see any possible similarity between the too. She smiled and challenged him to ask the volunteer to tell his story.

Never one to back away from a challenge and secretly wishing to knock this perpetual optimist down a few pegs, Bill looked forward to the next visit from Mr. Sunshine. He didn't have to wait long.

The volunteer walked in with that omnipresent smile and nails-on-the-chalkboard, "Good morning" greeting. Bill jumped right into the metaphorical boxing ring and delivered his first blow. "Tell me your story! Why are you always here?" The volunteer must have been ready because he counterpunched with precision and speed as he pulled up a chair.

He said, "I have nowhere else to be that is as important as here." His flurry of counterpunches reminiscent of the great boxers from history continued with lightning speed, before Bill had a chance to respond.

"I started a home-based business from an idea shared by my wife. At least she was my wife way back then. We struggled for years as we built it together. It started to grow and then it exploded and gave us all the money and security we could ever desire. Our family was thriving financially. But the more we acquired, the more I wanted. I thought I had this gift of entrepreneurship as my empire grew in size and net worth. A mentor of mine offered these words of wisdom. 'Always keep balance in your life. You can be focused on success while still making time for family.' I had followed his teaching in building my company, but ignored this advice about balance.

I didn't even see the warning signs until it was too late. And I was too prideful to change. I lost my family because I never created that balance in my life. I heard the words of wisdom, but ignored them. Now I have plenty of money, and plenty of time, alone in my house that is far too big for one person. So I spend my days here trying to make people I don't know, feel better. I wish I had done that with my own family before it was too late."

There was a reflective silence between them. Bill remembered how his business started with his wife in a small house they could barely afford. She was the creative person and he was the numbers guy and the system builder. Even in the tough times, they savored the path they shared together as their idea began to flourish and produce income and security. His wife never lost the vision but she wanted to share their success and as she always said, "create lasting memories with our daughters." For Bill, it was always about building it bigger and better. And now he was living apart from his own family.

Bill had ignored the words of wisdom from his doctor. He had done the same with the warning from Rose. Now these words of wisdom from the volunteer who seemed to have already lived a life that Bill was living hit him squarely between the eyes.

This volunteer who must have been placed here at this time in this moment for Bill, broke the silence. "Your family is in the waiting room. It isn't too late for you. I'll go get them."

Bill wouldn't be ignoring these words of wisdom.

Written by T.O. Illustratio

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