While not all that glitters is gold, the inverse is also true. Not all dark and dull are worthless. A plain-looking igneous rock, a Kimberlite, may be hiding some diamonds. We just need to look inside for the gem. Then, it glitters.

In the same way, we can look at a misfortune from a different perspective and we might just see a blessing, albeit in disguise.

Every day, I endeavor to see blessings even in times of adversity. This is one such attempt.

I didn’t miss life’s sense of humor; that curveball thrown at me couldn’t be missed. It didn’t miss me either. It was a challenge but like in a poker game, I called it. It continues to be a challenge at the moment as I get used to the new normal and although I may not raise, I will keep calling.

This health issue isn’t a misfortune; it’s a blessing in disguise. It would have been a tragedy if it was handed to me later on in my life. It merely requires me to readjust my schedule that I set early in the year.

Fortunately, I have discovered that the trick to goals and discipline lies behind knowing what truly matter. It’s easier to reach any goal if it’s close to heart, a priority and a choice made alone – for self – without external influence. Conversely, if you want to fail at achieving goals, aim for something in line with worldly success, dictated by peers and/or world at large, determined by the Joneses and devoid of passion.

So, here are the benefits of finding out I have hypertension and must now be on chronic medication:

• To reduce stress, I’ll be shedding off some unnecessary activities and commitments I shouldn’t have made in the first place.
• To control hypertension, I am forced to have a healthy lifestyle which will effectively make it easy for me to lose the excess weight and to get more sleep. I might also have to start cooking at home instead of eating out which will free up funds for better things.
• No-guilt selfishness – I will be looking after me first so I may be able to look after others; the virtue of selfishness.
• I am now monitoring my health which means I will be more aware of health risks earlier.
• Living life to the fullest, a life of significance and with focus on what truly matter the most, becomes a priority once again.

Life is getting back to normal, my new normal.