All Psyched Up: Live like this night may be your last

By DR. LINDA HANCOCK on June 10, 2022.

I remember a few years ago when a co-worker asked, “Do you know what I love about you?” My reply was, “No but tell me quickly for things like that are always nice to know.”

She said, “You live every day as though you might die tonight.”

With a smile I replied “Well, I might.”

Now I don’t have any plan to leave this world, but I do my best to not hold regrets about the past or anxiety about the future.

Next week I am going to have eye surgery and feel very confident that things will go well. At the same time though I am following the advice that I give to clients. The best way to destroy fear and anxiety is to take action.

Here are some of the things that I have been doing to prepare for what lies ahead:

• Business – All paperwork including reports and extension requests are completed. The clients know I will be off and what to do if they need help during that time.

• Financial – Bills are paid, accounts are reconciled, and filing completed.

• Medical – Prescriptions are filled, physician checkup done, and consents signed and returned for the surgeon.

• Services – Car is filled, hair done, massage claims filed, and arrangements made for mail pickup, cleaning and plant watering.

• Support – My daughter kindly has taken a week of holidays and will not only be with me during the surgery but plans to have me recover at her house.

• Spiritually – My house is in order.

Now, I definitely didn’t have to do all of these things, but it certainly filled a lot of hours that could otherwise have been cluttered with worry. And it gives me a feeling of being in control.

I know that after the surgery there won’t be a lot of stress because of my planning, and I can take my time to focus on healing.

Am I worried? Heavens no! This is just a part of life that hopefully will make my life even better.

For me, this is an extension of my commitment to live life in an organized and thankful manner.

Oh, and by the way, I am writing articles for a few weeks ahead, so my editor has them for publication.

What do you do when you are facing a change in life that will put you out of commission for a while? Do you fret and stew? Or do you take action?

And what about the regular, ordinary days? Are there things that perhaps you can do now so it would be easier if the unexpected happens?

I learned a long time ago, that life is a series of choices. You can procrastinate and feel stress and fear, or you can plan and take action.

Today is a great time to make a list of the things you need to do and then make a plan to complete them. I think in a very short period of time you will be so glad that you did.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice. Visit http://www.LindaHancock.com or email her at office@drlindahancock.com.

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