Turned On and Tuned Out were popular phrases back in the day. Recently I learned of an old friend who is now paying a terrible price for his choices as a young adult. He’s in a nursing home and his life is about as miserable as it can be. This gave me pause to reflect on my own choices and how I might have ended up this way, too. It was actually scary to consider how close I came to a life leading me to self-destruction rather than the fortunate circumstances I now enjoy. This expression came to my mind: “There but for the grace of God, go I.” I’m not one who drops God’s name very often, but the expression is also quite earthly as well as heavenly. Humans can learn through the experience of others without directly going through a trauma. This ability to live vicariously is uniquely human.
