Life

Make Time

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace

 

Make Time For Life
Make Time For Life

In the years Carol and I built our business’s the words ‘I haven’t time’ were often spoken. We dedicated our lives to our success’s. There is nothing unusual in this; millions of people will say the same three words today. It is interesting that when I became ill, Carol, family and friends adjusted their timetables to help me through the illness and recovery. They made time for me, and I understand the commitment and sacrifices were no small cost.

It is coming up to the festive season, and there will be parents who are struggling with the pressure already. Excessive financial commitment, emotional memories and conflicts precede the two-day extravaganza. For many people it is not a festive season holding emotions of happiness and celebration, it a period of foreboding and anticipation of debts and credit card bills in the new year. Big smiles are hiding serious concerns.

We have all become overwhelmed by the sentiments of the season, brainwashed by the superb big store advertisements and anticipation of New Year sales. Once we cooked a turkey, now Jamie tempts us into a ten-course meal and has not cared for the reality of ordinary people’s kitchens or dining space. And for all of this, most of us love the mayhem! Kids are opening presents, Grandmother taking over the comfortable chair, people nursing hangover heads, falling asleep in the afternoon, knowing full well its a big mistake.

I would ask people to think about those who are no longer with us. Those who we knew so well and loved so much, because the memories of our loved ones guide us to the reality of our lives. I would sit down to baked bean’s on toast with a glass of water if I could celebrate my Christmas day with family loved and adored who are no longer with me. I know the impossibility of the desire, I know the power of the thought. You see, a box full of presents are worthless, compared to a conversation with someone you love. It is almost as if the real value of the gifts is they are a passport for meetings and family gatherings. Never take the moments of the family community away from the season’s illusion. And for many people the season is a dream, when the tree is returned to the attic, the toys are broken, and the new PlayStation game comes out in February, it is the pictures or videos of the gatherings which are remembered.

If there is a sentiment to think of, think of this. Millions make time for three days of celebration; they plan and save and enter into debt for weeks beforehand. Is the time invested in the season of goodwill wasted? In other words, does the cost outweigh the rewards? To my mind if we consider the family community, meeting of friends, a celebration of giving and receiving and all of these interactions are kept well within our emotional, physical, spiritual and material means; the effort is worthwhile. The moment the celebration becomes a hidden burden, then the season is an illusion of happiness, not a heartfelt celebration.

I realised these thoughts when Carol and I made time to enjoy some time in Agadir ~ Morocco last week. You can receive a hundred presents and still be unhappy or your heart can be filled with love and content with a kiss. You can never buy friends or gain respect with toys and trinkets. You win friends with the gifts of honesty and integrity. The sentiment of this essay is this; Time is a present you cannot give to any man, and you cannot make it. Why not make the whole of the year to come, one where the greatest gift you can give is your time to those you love.

Before I became ill and my transplant returned me to health. I wasted my life by not understanding the three words ‘I haven’t time’ ~ You can be sure I know what those words mean now. I will not give you the answer, think it out for yourself!

I thank the donors and their families for their ultimate gifts. I know you will not be together at Christmas, my thoughts will be with you on Christmas morning. The donor’s gifts are the greatest of all, may their families be blessed with peace and prosperity.

Happy Season and Happy Holidays
Campbell and Carol

It Is A High Mountain

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace

It is a high mountain.

From taking of notes, to a 100 page book is a difficult climb. It is like viewing a picturesque scene. We see a mountain range. As we become nearer to it, it becomes evident the peaks are further away than imagined. The climb begins and we realise getting to the summit is going to be a long process. From a distance it seems the advance will take a day. The reality is in fact weeks of endeavour is needed to reach the summit.

I have climbed the mountain ‘Second Chance’ is now complete.

The process was far more involved than imagined. The next time you enter a book shop, consider you are looking at a mountain range, when you pick up the book you are at the bottom of the climb and the writer has had to plan and map the route.  He or she has to write, edit, write some more. Prune again, grow some more and then the writer realises there is an important aspect missing and another chapter is added. At some point the writer has to stop or the book will never be finished. There is much more to write and common sense say’s ‘The reader will understand’. When the decision is made, the writer is at the summit. The view from the top is spectacular. Now the flag needs to be unravelled, an announcement made. People will buy the book, read it, recommend it, buy it as a gift. It is written for everyone who is seriously ill and facing major surgery. It is also written for the family and friends of those who are ill.

My book ‘Second Chance’ it is a true story. A real life experience and a complex one. At some point during the writing of ‘Second Chance’ I realised how many people are involved in the story. It is humbling, thought provoking, enlightening to consider the incredible kindness and dedication of those who worked to give me my second chance of life. Certain ways of thinking about the different aspects have to be expressed in a clear way which can be understood. Aspects such as the donor, transplant team, family, recovery, finances are all part of the story and one has, to some degree become emotionally separated from the events so the ideas have an impact and are thought provoking. As a result the book is written, re-written, proofread and amended. I am amazed to discover the proofreader, does not get the manuscript word perfect first, second or even third time around. If you are a writer you’ll understand this.

The objective was for ‘Second Chance’ to fulfil a purpose. It is a body of ideas, which combine the emotional, personal aspects with the hard facts. A lady asked me ‘Campbell, I’m awaiting a transplant, how do you cope with the tragedy of the donors death?’ The answer to her question is found within the book. Not as a definitive answer (this cannot be possible) there is a subjective opinion. The essence of which is life is precious and survival is within the core of every humans psyche. It is my personal feeling, a seed of thought, a meditation. ‘Second Chance’ is not a hand book of recovery. The book does not offer miracle cures or definitive answers. It is a book of thanks, celebration of life, determination to overcome fear. My book is about, love, friendship and human resolve. My words are intentionally forthright, serious illness is not a game, reality and facing facts are powerful medicines.

You are able to download ‘Second Chance’ from the link below. Click on the book image it will take you to kindle. The paperback copy will be available shortly. If you wish to be informed with regard to availability email me at campbell-wallace@hotmail.com .

See you soon – Live well

Campbell