What if? is one of those interesting questions that we think about often but without thinking about it too much.

For example, “What if I had married so-and-so instead?”

Or, “What if I had taken that job I was offered instead of the dead end job I have now?”

And, “What if I had stopped at that intersection instead?”

Perhaps, “What if I wore a mask while shopping?”

See how that works? What if? has many applications in daily life and we apply What if? often but without giving it much thought.

Think about how inventions are made or discoveries found or how anything is improved.

“What if I did it this way instead?”

What if they found a cure for ALS and I didn’t have to die? Researchers are working on ways to determine ALS sooner, improve the condition of those afflicted with ALS, and, once they find a cause, figure out a way to cure it.

What if?

What if my neurologist came to me and said, “Here. Take this medicine. It will improve symptoms and eventually cure your ALS?”

That’s not a do over but it would change how I live the rest of my life. A cure or even a way to reduce symptoms and extend life for a few years would bring a number of changes to my life.

To start, I would spend more time with my wife, children, grandchildren, and friends. I would spend less effort on frivolous moments. How much is that extra time worth to you? Without death staring us in the face most of us don’t give it much thought.

So, think about it for a few moments.

“What if I was going to die in a few months? What would I do differently?”