Quality versus Quantity. That eternal dilemma. For me at least. I used to lie awake at night working out my
likely lifespan based on the average ages of my four grandparents. I figured that with my relatively healthy
lifestyle, I was a sure thing to reach 90.
Ninety felt like forever away and I felt content
that I would have a long future ahead of me.
Plenty of time. I still had 2/3
of my life ahead of me. More in front
than behind. What a great position to be
in.
Then I got cancer.
Regardless of whether the cancer returns, my life is more likely to be
shorter than I once thought. I wonder
now that if it did come back, knowing it would be terminal as there is
currently no real cure for secondary cancer, would I choose to go through
treatment again.
Would I choose to be so very sick, with no energy,
sleeping most of the day, wishing it would end, in the hope that the treatment
might add months, or if lucky, a year, to my life? Or would I prefer to make the most of my time
left. Prioritising the people and the
places that I’d like to spend my precious time, feeling well, at least
initially. I’d be able to enjoy food,
and think clearly. I’d be able to make more
choices about what to do with my time, albeit shortened. Short but sweet perhaps?
Not having children would help make the decision
easier I think. People want to live for
their children, their family, their milestones.
I wouldn’t necessarily have that and maybe that would make my decision
easier to choose quality over quantity.
One thing’s for sure, irrespective of how long I
have I’m aiming for a high quality of life every single day. Maybe you should too.
Well expressed. We all should seek quality over quantity. I haven't always done that, I'm afraid. But I intend to start now. Thanks for this post, Jodie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rocky.
DeleteOh, Jodie, so right you are! Plan for the future, but live as if this is our last day! I am sorry that cancer has touched you so personally. You have a wonderful attitude that we can all learn from!
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy. I'm so grateful every day for what it has brought to my life. x
DeleteJodi, my pink sister, I have had these same thoughts. When I was younger I couldn't understand that anyone would chose quality over quantity but age and experience has taught me differnt. Now I believe it is all about the ride, not the destination. Be well.
ReplyDeleteI know you get it my pink sister! You be well too. x
DeleteGood post! So glad to find your blog. New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much Sylvia - hope you're having a great A-Z challenge. I've just returned the favour and checked out your blog - awesome! For some reason I'm having trouble following, but I'll figure it out.
DeleteMy dear sweet friend, the thought of losing you hurts! Quality it is. Every day, every hour, every minute, every second xxxxx
ReplyDeleteWell lucky I'm not going anywhere and will be here to annoy you into our nineties! xx
DeleteI'm going to add something to my previous post. You have no idea how much I've thought about this since you posted it. And I say amen to the comment by Vicki Paulus. It's about the ride.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rocky - your comments always make me feel so good!
DeleteWonderful thoughts,beautifully said. Yes - the quality of the journey. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI like the quality vs. quantity debate frames as "gourmet vs. gourmand," which I wrote about for G on my blog. The gourmet likes high quality meals, whereas the gourmand just likes a lot of it! Interestingly, I find this cuisine divide comes out a lot in French vs. English-speaking cultures. Certainly in French vs. Americans. I think both have their place (hey, if you're starving, you probably want a LOT of food, not just one perfect shrimp!), though yes, quality is often preferable to quantity. Hope you are enjoying your A to Z ride!
ReplyDeleteOh I'll definitely check out your blog. I wasn't thinking about food when I wrote mine and I agree - it certainly changes the debate! I remember a Buddhist monk saying once though, if chocolate biscuits made us happy, the more of them we ate, the happier we should become......... food for thought!
DeleteOh that's such a great point - and I certainly wasn't thinking of food when I wrote it. It reminds me of something I heard a Buddhist monk say once - "If chocolate biscuits made us happy, surely the more of them we ate, the happier we would become....." Food for thought! Enjoy the last leg of the challenge!
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