Recently, two friends of mine shared with me their concerns about their aging parents' health. Caring for the elderly brings enormous pressure not only on the caregivers but also on family relationships. Although they both have siblings, only they can discern which medical treatments will have the least impact on their parents' quality of life. After all, physical health is an entire system, not just an isolated syndrome.

Listening to their reflections, I came to two important conclusions.

First, whether due to societal culture or personal character, those who are unable to take full responsibility for their choices when they are young will likely not be able to take responsibility for their lives when they are old. In the end, they will be at the mercy of others when facing health problems.

Second, although dealing with elderly health issues consumes a lot of physical and emotional energy, once you understand that you have done your best, you can accept the outcome with peace of mind and no regrets.

Peace comes from knowing you’ve done everything you should.

Anxiety arises from those things that remain undone.

It is crucial to understand what the "right thing to do" is, and it must come from love. We must take responsibility for our loved ones, but even more so for ourselves and our own lives. Beyond that, most things are just noise.

This shift is also reflected in my current priorities. In the past, I put work first, followed by interests and curiosity, with family and friends third, and health last. Now, health and family have taken the top spot, with interests and curiosity in third, and work has fallen to fourth. I am now striving to build a career that aligns with my curiosity.

Once you have clarity on all of this, anxiety can turn into fuel for action, and on the other side of that effort is a heart that finds peace after weathering the storms.