I have written, complained, waxed about the loneliness. Strangely, I have grown accustomed to that, just like everyone said I would. I was afraid to get used to being away, but it happened.
Part of getting used to it was exercising to relieve the stress. My resting heart rate when I arrived in Pakistan was 84. It is now 64 (give or take a few palpitations). I have saved my heart 10 million beats a year. This has to have extended my life expectancy.
On a spiritual level, I have internalized what I have long claimed to know: that my primary opportunity for joy comes from my role as husband and father. All this other stuff--the SUV, the Allen Edmund shoes, iPads, professional achievement--is cool and worthwhile, but only as a derivative of building relationships that facilitate growth, teach values, yield charity.
With 10 million beats, perhaps I am adding more time with my family on the back end than I am losing in the present. More time to continue teaching and building. Alas, the time is as a dream.
A former boss often commented on the "apparent acceleration of time." The future is racing toward me. My Nike Vomero's and I are taking it head on. Running to live long. Running to live well.
Part of getting used to it was exercising to relieve the stress. My resting heart rate when I arrived in Pakistan was 84. It is now 64 (give or take a few palpitations). I have saved my heart 10 million beats a year. This has to have extended my life expectancy.
On a spiritual level, I have internalized what I have long claimed to know: that my primary opportunity for joy comes from my role as husband and father. All this other stuff--the SUV, the Allen Edmund shoes, iPads, professional achievement--is cool and worthwhile, but only as a derivative of building relationships that facilitate growth, teach values, yield charity.
With 10 million beats, perhaps I am adding more time with my family on the back end than I am losing in the present. More time to continue teaching and building. Alas, the time is as a dream.
A former boss often commented on the "apparent acceleration of time." The future is racing toward me. My Nike Vomero's and I are taking it head on. Running to live long. Running to live well.
