Paul Kalanithi
To Elías,
There are some books that are worth rereading every once in a while. It's like watching your favourite movie over and over again because you know it will be good. If I were to guess, by the time you reach your mid-20's, you will have firmly accumulated your own list of things - movies, music, books - that you'll return to for, among many things, comfort. ' When Breath Becomes Air,' is one of those things on my list.
Why? Firstly because he writes beautifully.
'But here’s the thing I must come back to: the prose was unforgettable. Out of his pen he was spinning gold.' - Foreword by Abraham Verghes.
Secondly, the themes in this book are interesting and often profound. They include:
- Time - how little time we have.
'The path forward would seem obvious, if only I knew how many months or years I had left. Tell me three months, I’d just spend time with family. Tell me one year, I’d have a plan (write that book).'
At 36, he had almost reached the apex of his life: a year away from completing his Neurosurgery training. He was close to the finishing line, the dream life – 'a nice catamaran on that sea that Lucy, our hypothetical children, and I would take out on weekend' – was finally within reach. Yet it was at that very moment that cancer came calling, unexpectedly. This book, an inward reflection of his finals days, provided for me, an elegenat reconciliation of the saying 'work like you'll live forever; live like you'll die tomorrow.'
If I were you, I'd always remember that saying.
- Words - its lasting quality.
'Words have a longevity I do not.'
Nobody cares much for the name of CEO's and millionaires, but everyone remembers the name of authors they love. Writing is something I wish I could do well. I'd take that skill over anyting else if life were to give me a lottery ticket.
If I were you, I'd make sure I learn how tell a good story. How to write, and how to speak well. Don't worry, I'll try to help you along the way. Remember to do your homework.
- Conjugation - language can be limited in capturing our emotions.
'Verb conjugation became muddled. Which was correct? “I am a neurosurgeon,” “I was a neurosurgeon,” “I had been a neurosurgeon before and will be again”? Graham Greene felt life was lived in the first 20 years and the remainder was just reflection. What tense was I living in?'
He is, and always will be a neurosurgeon. When you have a vocation or a skill, it can never be taken away from you. No one can fire you from becoming a tailor, a barber, or a cook (unless you work for a company of course; but even then you can work as a self-employed). As time goes by, you become your vocation.
If I were you, I'd seek out something beyond a paycheck early in life. Try and find something that will define you. Something no one can take away from you. More importantly, something you enjoy doing. If you're lucky, you'll get paid for it. If not, well, the world is not perfect. Find a good job.
Papa
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