Opportunity Knocks ...?

“Never let a crisis go to waste.”  Traditional proverb attributed to many

It is said that the Chinese word for “crisis” is made up of two symbols; one representing “danger” and the other representing “opportunity.”   While there is some controversy regarding the interpretation of the 2nd symbol, I have been told by one of my patients who grew up in China that “opportunity” is a reasonable interpretation and it could also be interpreted as “changing point” or even “inflection point.” 

What I do know is that the “danger” of the COVID-19 crisis has forced me to think deeply about and in many cases reconsider many aspects of my life, starting with the manner in which I practice medicine, but extending far beyond that to topics as diverse as how I view relationships, community, my job, my health, money, death, recreation, and how I prioritize my life.   As I have become a bit more accepting of and comfortable with the known and unknown danger of this novel virus, I have become keenly aware that it has also provided me with opportunities to reorder my life in ways that were not even on my “radar screen” as the New Year started. 

 Perhaps you can relate to this as well.  How have you been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic?  Have you begun to review and perhaps even reorder your priorities as a result?   In the midst of this disruptive crisis lies the incredible opportunity to examine the pattern your life is weaving and make necessary and possibly long overdue changes.  In the weeks to come, I encourage you to not become so preoccupied by the “danger” of this crisis that you squander the uninvited but quite real opportunity presented in its midst.  To do so would indeed seem like a waste.