Life Lessons From My Consults: Overcoming Fear and Finding Life Purpose

When I count my blessings, I am thankful for the gift of good health, my family, and the life I make the most of. I have always believed that it doesn’t matter how much or how little you have. What matters is what you do with what you have. It is how I view and live my life.

There were times in my life I had very little, other times when I had just enough, and yet others when I had abundance in many ways. But in each of these phases, what mattered was how I could make the most of what I had. Look around you. You will see many unhappy wealthy people and happy poor people today. Your attitude is what makes you rich or poor, no matter what or how much you have.

More than all the material things that one can attain in life, I love my life because I get to do something I love doing. This for me is the greatest joy, along with my family, daughter, a few solid, loving, and meaningful relationships with a few people. I have always liked to keep my circle small and uncomplicated. I love how my curiosity a few years ago built a desire within me to fill a gap and eventually build a business out of it which allows me a livelihood and helps me make a positive impact on humanity. I never dreamt I would ever lead a business or build a global brand. I did not imagine it, but it happened and unfolded beautifully over time, in its sweet way. Not according to a business plan or strategy which made me fall in love over and over again with the mysteries of life, providence, and faith.

Another day, another lesson. Photo Credits: Unsplash

I am grateful that my work has involved over 9,000 plus hours of talking to people from across the globe about their health, disease, relationships, childhood, family medical histories, symptoms, lifestyle, and more. There is tremendous learning and humility when you have the chance to go through people’s journeys, sufferings, rises, falls, forgiveness, bliss, and so many beautiful and ugly human emotions. It also serves as a reminder of the bitter ugly truth that from the time we are born, we have already begun the process of dying. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how much more there is to learn from everyone only if we keep our eyes open, our egos in check, and our cups half empty.

The strength of a mother. Photo Credits: Unsplash

This morning I learned another lesson from the strength of a mother whose child has a Glioblastoma (GBM). It has a very low survival rate, an aggressive type of cancer that usually results in a swift death (usually not 100%). And while I was going over her son’s progress, I shifted the conversation to her emotional health to check how she was doing. She just smiled back and said she had no fear at all. She is happy in her life and is dedicating everything she has to her son’s life.

“What is the point? Fear will not allow me to enjoy the time I have left with my son. So we are all just happy moments now and building memories and making the most of what God has given us. I am prepared for his death and mine whenever it should come and in whatever way. My son could die in a road accident, or from a disease. The context is different, but death is inevitable, so I may as well do the best I can in terms of treatment and make the most out of the time left,” she told me.

Something shifted in me. The strength I derived was my blessing for the day. I realized as much suffering I see through my work daily, the lessons learned are blessings. I share them with others hoping that it may create the same shift in them.

What are you choosing? Photo Credits: Unsplash

Life Purpose

The other day, I had a call with a lady who has Multiple Myeloma. She is doing well and has come a long way. As we started talking about life purposes, I told her I think I have found mine and asked her about hers.

She said, “A lot of my friends have found theirs in the work they do and their passions, but Luke, I think my life purpose is my family. Being there for them, ensuring they have hot meals, having the time to put them to bed, laughing with them, reading to them, and cleaning up after them. I don’t see it as work, I love it, and I feel it is my purpose now. Maybe it will change as they grow? I don’t know.” I said, “Well, that’s your life purpose for now. And it is beautiful when you see it that way.”

It is a reminder that we can find purpose in anything we do. If we cannot, it becomes mundane. We start needing constant motivation to get through it. But when we attach purpose and meaning to it, everything changes.

So, I look forward to the rest of my day. I decided to take a longer break between consults today to enjoy a date, some coffee, and write (a way of expression I enjoy).

It is now time to get back to work. Yes, I cannot pretend that I love what I do every day. I would be lying if I said that. There are days when I do not want to get out of bed, consult, talk to anyone about work, do live videos, or be on social media. And I allow myself to get through them because that makes me feel human. The more I accept those days, the less they become.

Life and time are your most valuable commodities, along with love. Nurture them, nurture your health to enjoy them, and put them on your priority list. Assign them more value than gold, diamonds, or money. Live well. We just have one life and a finite time.

– Luke Coutinho