Friday fun: Any trivial event/decision in your past that actually profoundly impacted your life?

Too much philosophy at the end of a day......and yet, so very true. Who of us, at 18 or 20 or 23 really grasps the importance of a decision to go to THIS college versus THAT one, or go to a particular party, or which table to sit down at in a crowded dining hall? Or any of the other decisions we make--then or later?

And yet, those decisions prove to be pivotal to our lives yet to be lived, and (mostly) we end up OK with them 40 years later. Really interesting, isn't it?

I know one thing: spending a lot of time (an occasional muse about it probably is OK) looking back and regretting the path not taken accomplishes nothing, and is of no value at all. I also know, jumping from Redwing's comment, that "I", for a large part of it at least, am also significantly who "I" am today as a result of many of those decisions so long ago. If I had not met my wife literally a few hours after arriving on a college campus for freshman orientation and instead met someone else, then I would have had a different path, that would have shaped me some other way.

We are all the sum of our experiences, plus some genetics (yep, I'm very much a behaviorist), and the fact that we are all "here" on this forum, is a matter of at least some chance. And now we all are (hopefully) learning to anticipate with at least some excitement the next chance encounter we may have.

Over five years ago, I decided to visit Mayo Clinic, to add another layer to my healthcare plan. I had never ventured there before ...

Thankfully, I had a "friend of a friend" connection to Dr. Kwon. From the minute I arrived, I felt a quiet assurance that I had made the right decision.

During my first consultation with Dr. Kwon, he led a conference call with my local oncologist, while I was sitting in Dr. Kwon's office.

From that point forward, all my records and results from Mayo Clinic have been shared with my local doctor, and they have continued to communicate.

Very recently, a new oncologist at my local clinic met with me. He's a new addition to my medical team.

My new doctor shook my hand, we exchanged pleasantries, and began an introductory conversation. I could tell he had a vested interest in my case ...

As the conversation continued, my new doctor stated he had something important that he wished to convey.

He stated that, behind the scenes, my first visit to Mayo Clinic resulted in an important connection that was forged with several ooncologists at my local clinic because of my initial contact & connection with Dr. Kwon.

My new doctor went on to tell me that since my first trip to Mayo Clinic, several other fellow patients from my local clinic were then referred to Dr. Kwon, and that these fellows were very grateful.

My doctor went on to state, "You have NO IDEA how your initial contact and consultation with Dr. Kwon five years ago, has now led to enhanced outcomes for several other patients. We consider you the BRIDGE BUILDER."

His words resonated in my ears, as I reflected on that first trip to Mayo Clinic, years before.

I honestly had NO IDEA that trip could have an impact on others and their well-being.

Sometimes, a step we have taken in life may have a positive impact on another traveler along our life's path ... in unexpected and profound ways ...

An experience to share ~~~
CYCLONE ••• # Iowa State University