ENDEAVOR

 It was while writing a weekly column many summers and moons ago that I had an epiphany, courtesy of a long-time friend who was a fellow columnist in the same publication. For weeks on end, I had been writing out of a sense of outrage and anger over the prevailing state of affairs in the country.

There’s a gentler and kinder side to life, my friend wrote. On further reflection, I realized that due to my preoccupation with current events and politics, I had overlooked that this was a subset of a bigger universe that still held infinite possibilities. Last week, I received an unexpected email from a friend. Out of respect for his privacy, I am opting not to identify him. But I am certain he wishes others to learn from his own recent experience. He writes:

“In the hope that the next time you or anyone you know goes through a rough patch in life, I am moved to reach out and share a recent experience. In October this year, I was diagnosed at a 50 percent risk of sudden death because of a faulty heart valve. I underwent an aortic heart valve replacement procedure, known as TAVI, a minimally invasive Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Even after the valve replacement, I still felt light-headed. After a series of tests, brain scan, my neurologist concluded that I have vestibular migraine, the cause of my 24/7 lightheadedness and is separate from my severe aortic valve stenosis but coincidently manifested at the same time.”

He shared further that while the procedure had been successful in ensuring the  proper functioning of his heart, he still suffered from migraine and persistent light-headedness.

Upon further reflection, he resolved to carve new pathways to daily living. He reflects:

“I have come to terms with my new realities, I learned to banish all self-destructive behaviors, like worry, anxiety, and negative self-talk which were shaping my emotions.

Instead, I focused on positive aspects, such as a “light at the end of tunnel”, with my doctors now having zeroed in on treating my lightheadedness and being grateful that I can still do my normal daily activities like swimming. This has made a huge difference to my overall sense of wellbeing. I am most grateful for family and friends such as yourself, (and) especially for my wife who is always there for me.  I am truly blessed!”

My friend had just served as a Rotary Club president during the height of the pandemic, from mid-2021 to mid-2022. Imagine how difficult and challenging it was to mount and implement service projects at a time of strict quarantine and lockdown measures. Yet, he skillfully steered his club while mindfully observing health and safety protocols.

I was reminded of two other esteemed Rotarian colleagues who, after serving with distinction as district governors nearly two decades ago, underwent heart bypass operations. As they enthusiastically performed their leadership roles, they must have undergone severe stress that affected their blood pressure and impaired their health. With God’s grace they have renewed themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Indeed, as I have realized, too, a mindset of focusing on the brighter side of life and living is far more productive and beneficial than being worried and anxious about what comes next. I could not help but recall how my mother instilled this in my consciousness from my younger days. In the high school valedictory address that she helped me compose, she focused on a slogan that used to be a wrap-around billboard in the building of Feati University along Manila’s Jones Bridge:

“Look up young man, look up!”

Far be it for me to imply that by simply adopting an optimistic outlook, real-world problems would recede harmlessly to the background or evaporate into thin air. Truly, there are concrete problems and challenges that require to be tackled decisively, as these could likely create even more complex difficulties. But a positive mindset clears the proverbial cobwebs of self-doubt, excessive worries and anxieties.

According to Dr. Scott Lear: “It’s been theorized the type of chemical released depends on your thoughts. Are they positive or negative? With positive thoughts, it’s believed dopamine and serotonin are released. Dopamine is involved in the brain’s reward center, and serotonin with feelings of happiness.” He writes further about research-based evidence that the positive effects of dopamine and serotonin are not accessed by people suffering from depression — but are available in ample stores in those who opt to become optimists.

That moment of epiphany that encouraged me to believe and thrive in a gentler and kinder world happened more than two decades ago. Since that beneficial realization, I had the privilege of serving anew in the government for a full term of six years.

I believe that, in large measure, I have been fortified by God’s grace, to persevere through the rough period of the pandemic – and beyond – while doing my level best to share the same upbeat and mindset with my family and circle of friends.

As my esteemed friend writes: “I have heard from people wishing for a world of compassion, one that is kinder, more understanding. I fervently share in that hope and I pray that the spirit of Christmas remains in our hearts and brings us closer to God and one another.”