I must admit, I'm not a home body, I'm a gad about. Give me a choice between being in around the house, or out and about, I will be out every time. Of course, if I have a project, an aim, then I can amuse myself closer to home. I can get really involved in a piece of writing, a painting, a social occasion or even a DIY home improvement project. But not just to think only of the shopping, the housework, washing whatever. Or even relaxing around the house when all the jobs are done. Those are chores to me, definitely chores. Yes, if I'm reading, which I am doing constantly, I will curl up in some quiet corner and read for hours on end. Even, let's be honest here, sit in the midst of noise and bustle and get completely lost in a story. I can even watch TV. Especially during a period back last year when I was in a cold climate and very unwell, I knew everything that came on and when. Given the choice though, I will be out of the house, probably at some cafe, park, or beach just watching life pass by. I don't feel lonely in such situations, I feel involved in the midst of everything. I guess that's why I'm a writer and an artist, I notice everything, I look at what's happening around me. I'm an incorrigible people watcher.
So, what's bought all this on? Well, about a week ago, I tripped over, twisting my foot under me, resulting in a bad sprain. After spending a big chunk of the day in hospital being ex rayed to see if anything was broken. As well as waiting to see doctors, I was confined to home. Dreadful to say, not even my own home, as it has too many steps for me to negotiate. No, I'm at my sons' house, in the guest room, where I can be 'looked after'. Son, wife, two children and a cat are all nothing like my little place next to the jungle. But isn't that just why I can't go there for the week. It is a bit too unusual, down lots of outside steps and too isolated. If I had been there alone, unable to barely stand, I would be worse than stir crazy by now, I might be completely crazy. As well as certainly living in chaos by this time...mmm, as you see I had little choice. I don't sound grateful do I....stubborn person that I am. Of course I am grateful, maybe just not accepting of the situation. I expect when passing along the runners to the hot place in my coffin, I'll be struggling to make a move. Or, maybe by then I will already be somewhere far more exciting,.....I do Iike change.
Sometimes you just have to admit that you are not your usual self. That you cannot care for yourself, or for your home properly. I certainly couldn't have kept the place clean, done the shopping, cooked meals. No, really I wouldn't have been able to do any of that. So, I grit my teeth, smile and give in as gracefully as I could. Yes, I know, I'm an old curmudgeon. Yes really, I do know myself and my faults very well. I suppose having travelled extensively helps me be able to fit into different routines fairly well. But after a week, and being so frustrated at my slow progress and in fairly constant pain, I am on the verge of escaping. No matter what the difficulties or consequences. Stir crazy!
Of course it was impossible for me to sit quiet and be well behaved all week. I escape at every opportunity. I persuaded my son to take me for a coffee, very difficult, silly of me and stressful for him as it was too soon. The only mans of transport his motor bike, yes that was fun but not very adult of me. Worse, one night I tempted him to go the local open air bar, where I could see people pass and we drank a local alcohol, kyperinha, full of fresh limes. Of course, I was in considerably more pain afterwards, for not resting my foot, or keeping it elevated. Plus the hour of alcohol didn't help my pain medication at all....I slept little that night. I even went for a drive with my daughter in law when she went to the supermarket. I sat and sweltered in the car, as she shopped, crazy hey, the lengths I will go to in escaping. Yes, that's me, loony tunes. I think I make them laugh, but it can't be easy having me for a guest.
As I write this, I am sitting looking longingly at the gates, wishing I was elsewhere on the other side of them. Even though I'm not sitting in a bad place. But it's now a week, I was convinced I would be running around again after three days. But here I still am, barely any better at getting about, champing at the bit to be gone. The bruises are coming out, under my instep, up the side of my foot to my ankle and around all my toes. But it's got me thinking.....you know, about how much we take for granted. About how grateful we should be every day for what we have. What I have is only temporary, even if it's slower healing than I would like. I am very grateful it's not permanent. My heart goes out to those with disabilities, or permanent illness.
Of course, as we age we notice and realise how our body, our energy levels are changing. You must take more care of your diet, of your fitness levels, if you want to maintain what you have, or improve at all. I don't know anyone who is looking forward to being old. Nearly everyone is trying to eat right, keep active, keep mentally active. As for me, I like trying new things, even if it's only meeting new people or trying new dishes. Convinced an active mind, keeps you young, although perhaps I am just nosy. I do believe you must not sit down and fester! Well of course, being in a new country, I must meet new people and try new food. Yes, i know I have natural advantages there.
In the meantime, I intent to give more thanks every day for being able to walk, being able to stand, for not being in pain or confined to the house. For many people, these restriction are an everyday trial, often an unchanging one. We should also give thanks for our sight, our hearing, our strength.....even our teeth and digestion. In addition, we should be grateful for our friends, our family, our food and our shelter. In my case, for space of my own and people who care about how I'm coping. Give thanks for the mundane, which aren't mundane at all. For the sunshine, the rain, for the flowers, our pets, the birds that sing in the morning. We should notice all of these things and much more.
Remembering too, that the more we give thanks to the Universe, the more good things are drawn towards us. It's all to do with energy, giving out the right vibrations, draws more of the same towards you. I don't why, or how I drew this injury to me...sometimes shit just happens. All I can do, is deal with it and not let it ruin my world, my enthusiasm. So, appreciate your health, even if you can only find one small thing good, give thanks for every small aspect of your life...every day. Do let me know when you begin to see an increase in nice things coming into your world.......as they surely will. In the meantime, I am giving thanks for having such an active brian and someone to collude with when I want to break out......my son.
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