Here is something to look forward to…

As 2016 waves bye-bye in my rear-view mirror, I see the not too distant horizon of what kind of year I have in front of me. Even though, as I sit in my chair hooked up to an IV starting a new drug treatment, I have to say for the first time in a long time, I am very optimistic. Now given, the scene of a post-election atmosphere, everyone is going to go batshit about the impending doom and gloom so I’m going to go ahead and avoid that topic like a disease (no pun intended). That deserves an entirely different blog altogether…

You may remember where we last left off our hero: ending the prior year by getting engaged to his long-time girlfriend after going through a tough summer battling his disease. And now onto the next episode!

The thing about chronic diseases is that they don’t just disappear. Fortunately, now that I have my health under control, I still need to play diplomat to my internal system and make sure things are under control for the duration of my life. In a way, we all kind of say that to ourselves, don’t we? Eat healthier, exercise more often, take supplements (do those even work btw?)… When really, in the end, we’re all given the hand we’re dealt and at some point, the game needs to end.

I’m starting an entirely new drug to treat my Crohn’s today. Physically I have been feeling great since my surgery: My appetite has roared back with a vengeance, I have a ton of energy, and I have been very upbeat since coming home. Now as the new meds flow through my veins, I have the risk of feeling tired or weak, having chest pains, getting headaches, and even as dangerous of a risk of a deadly brain problem called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Kind of makes me wonder what’s the point of doing this if I run the very risk of everything I just overcame?

As a new year of continued (f)unemployment begins, it is imperative to me that I take care of myself before getting caught up in the pettiness of whatever career “success” means. Perhaps I should take this opportunity as a call to action for all of my people out there. I know, every gym is overflowing with people right now, so really all I’m asking you to take care of yourself in whatever way you find fitting. For me, I’ve undertaken a weekly volunteering opportunity to take groups of people out on Lake Merritt to go bird watching. I get to be outdoors and hike around the lake; a 3.5 mile around in the heart of downtown Oakland as I track both migratory and year-round ducks, grebes, mergansers, and other waterfowl and tell people fun facts on their behavior. It’s not rocket science and it’s not making me a millionaire but it has given me some small measure of peace while I try to “get back in the game”

So what about you? Are you going to start eating kale? Run for 30 minutes every day? Volunteer at the local soup kitchen? Really it doesn’t matter so long as you are taking care of yourself emotionally as well as physically. Maybe it’s all about cultivating better relationships with people. My family and friends have been a true gift to me these last 32 years but there is always room for more. To my boys at CSB, my crew at Urban, and my mates at Wazzu, as well as the great friendships I’ve gathered at ERAC and OKL (you all know who you are): I give you my unabashed thanks.

So with that, I’ll leave you with this little bitty until next time: “People may not always remember the things you said but they will always remember how the way you made them feel.” So get after it, people and let me know what you’re going to do to make this year, your best self yet!