NOT the way I planned to spend New Years Day
Last week, I decided on my “One Word” for 2011. If you are not familiar with “One Word”, head over to Alece’s blog and get involved!
Essentially, I have chosen one word that will be a focus for me for this year. I settled on the word “Discipline”. Discipline is something I have always struggled with. And unfortunately, discipline permeates every aspect of our lives. Disciplined to living healthy. Physically, emotionally and spiritually. Disciplined to tasks and duties. at home and at work. Disciplined to family and relationships. If I struggle with discipline, I struggle with life.
Saturday morning started as many other New Years days before. Slept in, enjoyed a little breakfast and then football. Pretty much, my entire day was to be spent in the lazy chair watching football. Shortly after lunch, I felt a flutter in my chest. About once or twice a year, I will experience a little flutter in my chest. I am known to have a heart murmor and these flutters have been shown not to be dangerous. But, what would normally last for seconds, didnt go away. For 30 minutes, my heart fluttered and my heart rate raced.
If you have a chance, you can head over now and read my wife’s account of this event. She is much more detailed than I want to be here, because I want this post to be about the “One Word”.
In the end, I was found to be in “Uncontrolled Atrial Fibrillation”. Essentially my heart was racing at a fast pace(180-220bpm) and very irregularly. I had no rhythm. So, they ended up shocking me and forcing the heart back into rhythm. CRAZY! Again, you can read more detail at Tammy’s Blog.
So, where do I go from here. Well, I was given a clean bill of health when I left the ER. My heart is in perfect condition. My labs looked good, although I had elevated enzymes in my liver. In other words, My eating and drinking are likely the cause to setting this off. One more detail…It hereditary. And, my Mom has it. So, I now know that I am predisposed to Atrial Fiblliration.
I think God was smiling when I said I wanted discipline in my life. He sure did set me on a course! I now am forced to face, head on, my laziness. My selfishness. My pride. And sacrifice it all at the hands of discipline. I start immediately. I am fortunate that A-Fib is generally not deadly. Long term exposure to it can cause issues down the road. but, I hold the keys to that door. I can choose whether I live or die well.
Many are not given this chance. Some die tragically in a moments notice. On the way to the ER Saturday, I took time to understand that this might be it. I had no idea what was ahead. I had no idea what was happening to me. The unknown is fearful. Side note…Why do we fear the known? But, that is a whole other discussion.
I am grateful. To have more time with my amazing wife and kids. To serve my God. To live out my dreams. And, through discipline, I can drastically affect the path I take on this journey.
So, Discipline it is. The course has been set…
