Today I called an old school friend after hearing he was sick. I expected to hear about stress, exhaustion, maybe something temporary. Instead, he told me he had been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer that had already spread to his liver and lungs. What hit me hardest was hearing how carefully he’d lived. For years he ate whole foods, exercised, paid attention to his health, and did everything we’re told is supposed to reduce the risks. And yet, life had other plans. It was a reminder that our bodies are far more complicated than social media posts make them seem. Health isn’t always a simple equation. Genetics are complicated. Biology is complicated. Sometimes terrible things happen to people who did everything “right.” Take care of yourself. Eat well. Exercise. But don’t forget to live too. Call your friends. Tell people you love them. Make memories. Laugh more. Put off fewer things. Because life is fragile, unpredictable, and still worth living every single day.