We attended a Tom Ferry Real Coaching conference last week in Southern California. About 5,000 real estate agents from 49 of the 50 states and at least half a dozen countries. He has built a crazy successful business. He is extremely passionate about what he does, and his annual Success Summit is obviously about real estate but much more as well. I like Tom if for no other reason that Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons, is one of his happy places. Mine too. It is my cover photo on my computer. Maybe he will invite Mela and me to his place one day.

Mela and I at the Tom Ferry Success Summit in Anaheim

The Death Clock. Sounds ominous. Anyway, I guess you can enter “ death clock” in Google, and a site will come up, and you enter your age and some other data, and it estimates the time you have left. Tom is in his mid-50s, and the clock said he had about 9,600 days left. Call it 30 years. The mid- to late-80s is not a bad life.

But that was not his point. Acknowledging he had more days behind him than in front, about 9,000 days left - he wants to love more, give more, do more, be more. Essentially, squeeze the juice out of each and every day.

It is not about being busy but living with purpose and intention at a high level. It got me thinking. And yesterday was my appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Kim, and my immunotherapy infusion. My treatment is winding down. I only have 3 more of 24 treatments remaining.

I asked him about next year and next steps. Essentially, how many MRIs and CT scans will I be getting? I got 8 in 2025 and 4 this year. I was assuming about 3 to 4 next year. Sadly, he alluded to the fact that many of my brothers and sisters - so to speak - are not doing well or have passed, and he wanted to check on the process and protocol for me. I am a unicorn. So grateful.

I lost my eye to uveal melanoma in 2018, and it metastasized to my liver in September 2024. It has been two years. Dr. Kim did say back in 2024 that it is not a “good cancer” but does have patients doing well after 5 - 7 years. I do not know God’s plan but have utilized about 35% of my time statistically doing well. About 8,000 less than Tom. Not entirely true. I am about 10 years older.

The important part. What does living with purpose and intention look like? Can’t say that I entirely know. But more golf, more grandkids, more photography, more travel, more laughter, more joy over the next 1,200 days. Who knows. Maybe 9,600. But God.

Pausing for a moment of gratitude at the Labyrinth Garden outside the Buchanan Infusion Center

Upon leaving the Buchanan Infusion Center in San Francisco, I paused for a moment at the Labyrinth Garden for a moment of gratitude as I typically do. The garden is quite simple but very calming. I then made my way to the Woodhouse Fish Co. for a lobster roll. I was hungry and thinking of French fries. I looked at the menu and saw clam chowder. Decision made. It tasted particularly good. Time to make my way home. A decent day all in all. Live with intention. Find your joy.

Delectable Warm Lobster Roll on Buttery Brioche Roll

Be Kind, Be Humble, Stay Strong, and God Bless!