The First Day of the Rest of My Life – Introduction – September 1, 2019 – Day 1

This is a cliché most everyone has heard over the years. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Of course, it's a basic truth. That's why I've chosen this as the title for a series of articles I'm launching today.

This year, 2019, since the beginning of the year, has thrown a bunch of curveballs at me. I've had personal health and physical challenges and I've also had a number of challenges with “My McVansion,” my tiny house on wheels I travel around the country in.

As this series of articles moves forward it will chronicle a life-changing year, but most especially a life-changing series of rapid-fire events that have taken place over the past two weeks, beginning Sunday, August 18, 2019. That was the day I passed out and collapsed for the first time in my life. It was the first time I was attended by EMTs and a Medic, rode in an ambulance with siren wailing at full-blast and was in an ER. I thought, perhaps, there were going to be TV cameras around since this resembled something from TV shows like Chicago Med and Code Black. But, alas, no cameras. This was for real.

I was released from the ER on my own signature and against medical advice only to wind up in another ER a mere three days later. Wow! Twice in one week. This time, they kept me two days for observation and tests in the ER. That's also where the story makes a sharp turn toward something very serious.

During the two visits to the two ER's, they did some serious tests with big machines that talked to me and gave me instructions. Oh my, Artificial Intelligence is becoming more pronounced every day. By Friday, August 23^rd, the tests were pretty conclusive and I began to see my future, at least for the following six months to a year.

So, a lot has happened to me over a 14 day period and the rest is still to come. Did you notice I didn't say the “best” is still to come? My goal and attitude is that at the end of this several month journey I will realize the best. But, there is much to be experienced yet. So, today is September 1, 2019. Today is Day 1. I'm going to do my best to put something up every day as I go through this process. Some days may be quite short articles. Other days may be quite a bit longer as all the events unfold.

Oh, and I might just add here, while the events of the past two weeks that I outlined were taking place, I was also running an annual conference (we call it a retreat) for professionals from the speaking business who were coming from all over the U.S. and Canada. I've run this conference for 15 years – and it ended up a success, again. I had my (as I call them) “Seal Team” briefed and prepped and they kept everything moving along seamlessly. I was laying in my hospital bed keeping on top of things with texts.

The people at the conference were initially told I had to leave to take care of a personal emergency without mention of hospitals, ER's or medical matters. Someone eventually let the cat out of the bag. When I arrived back at the conference hotel early Friday evening, the outpouring of love, respect and concern were overwhelming. And, of course, I jumped right back into my role and the weekend ended on the high we anticipate it should every year.

It goes to show that planning, preparation and a great team can overcome unexpected events and adversities. A big THANKS to my team and everyone who worked together to make the event a big success. 

Live free and be happy! EH