When Breath Becomes Air

“There is a moment, a cusp, when the sum of gathered experience is worn down by the details of living. We are never so wise as when we live in the moment.”

Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air

It was a weird sensation I experienced upon opening this book—being scared of something that is inherently beautiful. For months, I had shied away from reading this memoir when a close friend told me that the protagonist is dying of cancer. Upon finishing the book, I felt nothing but gratitude for having heard Paul Kalanithi’s words.

Kalanithi sheds light on what one must endure to become and be a neurosurgeon—persevering through the inhumane lifestyle of residency, the demand for precision, responsibility in the face of death, etc. Neurosurgery is an extraordinary pursuit I had never before explored, and Kalanithi’s insight will undoubtedly fascinate you, whether you are intrigued by the medical world or not.

Kalanithi explores the juxtaposition of being both a doctor and a patient, delving into what gives life meaning in light of death. I walked away recognizing that no amount of time is guaranteed to any one of us, so instead of dedicating any portion of your life as a means to an end, make sure to find fulfillment in what you are doing. I believe that goals remain essential, but it's paramount that the work and time required to achieve them evoke satisfaction and fulfillment. Live a life with purpose and love for what you do, and live each day as if you could be three months away from your last. That was one significant takeaway for me, among many others, but trust me on this one, Kalanithi’s story is for anyone.