Lessons from an MRI

I had the (mis)fortune of having an MRI taken today and I knew going into it that I would probably have a blog post at the end (everything is okay; just my thumb). I had the sense that in lying completely motionless for 40 minutes, I’d find some metaphors for life in the digital and social world.

I did:

Lots of noise out there. If you’ve had one of these, you know how noisy they are. Lots of different noises – all loud – from all directions. Just like today’s socially connected world. Learn to filter out what’s not important and focus on sound, not noise. (although it’s quite difficult to filter out the MRI noise, there are spaces of quiet)


It’s nice to be still once in a while. Okay, I was forced to be immobile for 40 minutes, but I found this to be the only “still” time today. It also turned out to be my most productive thinking time all day. Life today moves fast; find your still thinking time. If just for a few minutes.


Everything is connected. While it was just my hand being looked at, everything needed to be still. Couldn’t move my head or my body. It’s funny how things in life are connected and intertwined, sometimes in an uncomfortable way.


Use your lifeline. I never had to squeeze the emergency button, but it was nice to know it was there. Even if you don’t have an emergency, lifelines can be vital. Identify yours – a mentor, a partner, a trusted advisor.


And remember, even in an MRI, there‘s a light at the end of the tunnel.

eb