The Four Things That Matter Most

Sometimes you only need to read a book once for it to make an impact.

I was first introduced to this book (the original edition) by a dear friend in preparation for a talk I gave at the Queens Hospital Palliative Care Conference. By the middle of the first story my eyes had transformed into fountains of water, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. There is a lot of truth in the application of thankfulness, confession, forgiveness, and love that is brought to light within the pages of this book. Dr. Byock (@IraByock) explains the four things to be four sayings – Thank you, Forgive Me, I Forgive You, and I love you – said to anyone with whom one feels bound. The stories in the book recount remarkable reconciliations – a sort of loosening of the bonds holding people. Having seen so many older dancers pass away I often think about what my exit might be like. If I experience anything like the reconciliation in these stories, I’d count myself a happy man. Better yet would be to not wait. Using the four things everyday — now that would be a thing.