When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

One of my favourite inspirational quotes is: Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. - Bill Keane. This, alongside the Nickelback song “If today was your last day”, takes me back to younger days when we often lived unapologetically authentic as kids, where one can have fun and mistakes are accepted.

When breath becomes air hit me emotionally unlike any other piece about facing death and the fragility of being human. Most of us envy Dr. Paul Kalanithi’s achievements of being a neurosurgeon- neuroscientist and having experience from the world’s best institutions of Cambridge, Stanford, and Yale. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking doctors and high salaried professions have life all figured out. However, it is a wrong assumption. Take Paul’s classmates, Hollywood actors, K-pop stars, Kate Spade, and many other figures – wealth and fame are what everyone seeks, but we do not know the stress and pressure physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually that these individuals have battled with and chose to die, or likewise that of Paul, the strenuous days were too taxing.

This book tells us that we are facing mortality every day and it is not something to fear, but to embrace and if there is life, live life not in suffering but fully. Paul’s cancer took his life in his mid-thirties, with so much potential untouched, but he left behind his wisdom, love and family. Reading and listening to his wife Lucy, who is also a doctor, as they lay together in the last moments is guaranteed to make you tear up. I highly recommend her TED talk and of course, this book. Lastly, as a reminder to myself to live fully: stop wishing, start doing.

Cheers,

Kelly

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