Ten things I learned from a six-week medical leave

1. Good health is the most important thing in life. Even if you have all the time in the world, if you are immobile, in pain or short of vigour, you do not get to enjoy it.
2. It is good to retreat from our routine life and have a taste of something different. The change of pace, style and perspective can be eye-opening.
3. An excellent way to start a day is to take a long walk, ideally up in the mountains. It does not necessarily take much time - I leave home at 0730 and get back at 1000 after doing an 8-km walk - but still it is a luxury that is beyond most of us who have to work full-time.
4. Siesta is another healthy and pleasurable thing to do but is equally out of reach of the working population.
5. Things do not fall apart in my office during my absence. I wonder how many people can say that they are indispensable.
6. A simple and rewarding life does not cost much.
7. A life requiring medical help is another story, especially if you do not have insurance coverage.
8. When the constraints and pressure from time are removed, life is so much more enjoyable.
9. It follows that if we can buy time with money, that should always be a good deal.
10. Whatever situation you find yourself in, learn to accept and move on.