Hey,

A few weeks ago, we discovered that a very close friend had passed away; he was not sick but was gone just like that. He was going to be 42 this month, on the 17th! We went to college together, graduated at about the same time, and he became like family to me and my brother. A few other students who and I were international students at college at that time were all pretty close because we all knew why we were here and being so far away from home; I would say we became family…

His death hit hard!

He worked hard, and I know he cared for himself and taught others to do that.

After graduating from college, we moved and lived in different states, and we would check on each other from time to time. If we could not visit, we would text. Now this. Working in pathology, I would say this should have been a case for an autopsy because I want to know why and what happened.

This has got me thinking about priorities or passions and life.

When we moved out of our home countries in search of a better life, I will tell you by God’s grace that God has been good to me and my family. When I take a moment to reflect, I see that sometimes my passions and priorities get all mixed up, and I get stressed. I go back to my foundation of praying to God for help and guidance and recenter to what is necessary.

My friend’s passing is causing me to re-evaluate the meaning of work, the meaning of rest, and taking care of myself.

Work is good, and I will encourage everyone to work. (Genesis 2:15 (NIV): “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and care for it.

1. Do not let the American Dream become the American Nightmare

2. Work hard and remember our families are essential; they should not just get the leftovers from me after a grueling day at work.

3. When home, be present. This is not the time to catch up on social media

What does rest mean to me? I need to find that and work hard to keep it. I have heard people say sleep is overrated, and at one point, I believed it, but now I do not. If God rested on the 7th day after all He had done at creation, who do I think I am not to need rest? See Genesis 2:2-3

And finally, taking care of myself.

I believe my friend would tell me to do this. To stay healthy, to eat right, and most especially, to exercise. He would encourage me not to let the stress of life get the best of me!

He would have been 42 this month- it is still difficult to think he is no longer here…

These tips are what I am doing now… Do you do anything differently?