So right now, on January 2, 2026, I’m 55 and I can barely move around some days. If you knew me in my California days, you probably remember me walking all over the High Sierra or organizing events and festivals and teaching all the time. Well, that’s not really me any longer. I’ve become an old guy.

But that’s the thing. I won’t be old for long.

I have the heart valve problem, and I found out that I have diabetes, and before I take care of all of that, I have to have my teeth cleaned and a couple of them removed.

This is all extraordinary. It’s amazing. 100 years ago, probably 30 years ago, I would have had a few months to live. As it is, chances are that not only will I live, but afterwards I’ll be jogging and of course training for a handstand.

I ran a magazine called The Journal of Radical Wonder for a while. This seems to me a moment for wonder. What an incredible gift I am getting. Now, I have a hard time walking to the end of the block. A year from now, I’ll be sprinting. I’ll have a new heart valve, I’ll be treating my diabetes, and my teeth will be minty clean!

I’m going to focus more in these posts on the day to day efforts, but I thought I’d have a moment, just to experience this moment of joyful wonder.

By the way, I get it if you’re dealing with medical issues and you’re not as positive as I am. That’s okay. Don’t let people force you into a false front!