Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it
Be prepared for the challenges in your professional life – Health
We have been talking a lot about being happy. However, the old proverbs like ‘Fortune favors the brave’ and ‘You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win’ always hold true.
We have to acknowledge that the only constant is change. This change has just become faster in last couple of decades. It has provided unprecedented growth in economy and massive job opportunities to millions globally. On the other side, the issues related to this growth have also started surfacing up. One of the most impactful one is the rising health issue in the working professionals.
Jim was a great talent for his company. He worked for long hours and did not rest unless the result was achieved. Obviously, his boss was more than happy and continued giving him more and more challenging work that translated in more money and more growth. For all others, this was a dream run which almost everyone was envious of. Nothing could have been better for Jim with everyone banking upon him to close a new deal, get things moving and the annual rewards were all for him.
“The only insurance you have is to keep your physical and mental health good to ensure a long and happy professional life.“
Jim enjoyed his work while he liked to party as well. While he smoked often, he ensured that he did that while he was off duty or on his way to meet the clients. He loved good food and obviously had a taste for best liquor. On weekends he would party till late night. One thing, which supported his work, was absence of a wife. He was a bachelor and preferred that way just because he loved his independence. His parents stayed in a different town and he loved his status of being a free bird with lots of money and a great time with his work and parties. Taste for good food and drinks had its effect on him and he gained weight .
It was his thirty sixth birthday that he overindulged in the party with more drinks and a lot more food. Few could see him perspiring heavily even in air-conditioned room and in loud music and darkness no one understood what happened to him. It was only in the morning that he was rushed to Hospital in a serious condition. He had suffered a stroke. The paramedics had a tough time putting his heavy body on the stretcher and having no one from his family around added to these issues. Few of his friends stayed on while rest found some excuse to vanish from the scene.
It took more than a month for Jim to come out of the hospital. His heavy smoking, drinking and over eating habit with no exercise had spoiled his body beyond repair.
Life was never the same for Jim. His office and his boss who never blinked before giving the best to Jim were quick to say good-bye. They realized that Jim can never be useful to them with so many complications and obviously they did not want to food bills of his long medical treatment. He could not be in his office on his last day as he was confined to his bed.
On his thirty seventh birthday, Jim was alone with his old mother by his side. His finances were all but gone. His friends abandoned him. Few dropped by, but the numbers dwindled.
Just imagine yourself and understand the fact that you will not always remain young. Age will catch up with you sooner or later and you need to take care of your health. While changes in our eco-system have brought opportunities, it has also broken family systems and support systems which remain healthy only till the time we are able to earn and be on our own.
The only insurance you have is to keep your physical and mental health good and ensure a long and happy professional life.
Very well articulated story Alok. Many of us would be able to connect with it. The title of the post is also great. Thank you.