As promised here is a list of some things that were unwrapped for me over the last year, in no specific order of incidence or importance:

1. The human body is fragile. It doesn’t take a lot to upset balance.

2. The human body is mighty if you treat it with respect.

3. Friends are found in the most unexpected places. If you are lucky they can become your family.

4. Eat. More. Fiber.

5. Eat. Less. Trash. If you think it’s not great for you, it probably isn’t.

6. It really is a bad idea to go down wormholes on your phone. Put it down.

7. Learn to be a good patient – advocate for yourself but don’t be an asshole about it. The reality is that your doctors and nurses will be nice to you if you are nice to them.

8. It sucks to get stuck by needles, but get over it, they are an important medical tool and they can literally save your life.

9. If you have surgery and even more so if you have to stay in the hospital remember these things: get out of bed, walk, take your pain medicine. Did I mention get out of bed?

10. Having an illness is different than being sick.

11. If you are sick or ill, it’s ok to ask for help. It never helps to go at it alone.

12. If you are sick or ill, don’t expect the world to feel sorry for you. The world is too damn big and shit keeps moving with or without you.

13. Laughter may be the best medicine. Watch funny stuff, surround yourself with funny people. Maybe take some stuff that makes things even funnier.

14. Waking up in the morning is a privilege. You may hit the snooze button less if you just sleep earlier, eat better, and move around more when you are awake.

15. Money isn’t everything but it really helps to have it when you are going through some bad stuff.

16. Get life and disability insurance. And do estate planning. It’s annoying and expensive but just get it done.

17. Learn how to cook. Or make sure you live with someone that does.

18. You can be too fat but never too fit. Not trying to be a jerk here, but move your body and sweat often. This too may save your life.

19. Have you heard of chia seeds? Basil seeds? Check those out.

20. I mentioned laughing, but crying is also pretty great. If you can’t remember the last time you teared up, you need to really do some introspection.

21. Don’t sweat the little things. It’s so much easier to just let shit go and move forward. Being angry is exhausting and I don’t think it’s good for you.

22. Sometimes life throws bad shit at you. God isn’t punishing you (I apologize if this offends you) and you aren’t a bad person getting your comeuppance. Sometimes you just win the worst kinds of lotteries. Grieve for yourself but then get up and make a plan.

Ok that’s good for now, I’m hungry.

~Sachin