While pondering on which of several topics to write about this week I came across draft notes from a speech I gave several years ago. (I forget to which group as I have had many speaking engagements) but what caught my attention was at the end of the speech my the summary was of a few life lessons I had learned.
Here is the list.
- Learn when to let go of something.
- Naïve optimism can lead to steep learning curves, which can unexpectedly result in success.
- Honesty and integrity are important to me, so facing my demons keeps things honest.
- Never let your dreams be curtailed by lack of experience; instead ask and learn from those who are more experienced.
- Be specific about what you need from someone when you ask for help.
- Always thank those who helped you to succeed.
- Think positively and laugh at yourself often.
Although a few years later this list might be altered a little and a few more added, this last week I forgot to apply the final one. Think positively and laugh at your self. Instead, I got depressed and sorry for myself, most unusual for me. We all have difficulties, highs and lows, that’s part of life.
From reading the news learning of all the turmoil across the world doesn’t help. It is very difficult to determine where the truth lies, there is so much disinformation, especially on social media and hundreds are brainwashed into believing it.
This in not just differences of opinion but spreading vivacious rumours and lies to promote yourself has become a daily occurrence for some.
The cure, stay away from social media, but as I’m a news junkie that is difficult. The fact my body is disintegrating physically, that I forget things more often and can no longer host dinner parties like I once did, or walk at least a kilometre a day, should be something I accept graciously.
I should accept it’s a normal part of aging and I’m grateful that I have so much for which to be thankful, friends, family, love and laughter, but my blue funk continued.
For me the final straw was a visit to the doctor which had taken seven weeks to get, due to a constantly painful wrist curtailing use of my right hand. I had hoped it was a ganglion cyst that could be lanced since it was resting on a nerve, but I had misdiagnosed it. Apparently, it is due to disintegration of the thumb and wrist joints from osteo-arthritis causing tendonitis.
The hopeful cure, but not guaranteed, would be to use my left hand and rest the right; wear a brace, ice and massage the wrist several times a day and use it as little as possible. To someone who writes, paints, gardens, cooks and walks with a cane in her right hand, due to arthritic hip on left side, that’s not so easy.
Yet I know compared with many who deal with and suffer from far worse problems; mine is a minor inconvenience. I can still have a good life.
I should take my own advice, think positively and laugh at myself often.
There are some positives, when I had a King Charles III medal reception to attend in Guelph to honour the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra’s Concert master and first violinist, Joy Schuster, for her work with both the Cambridge and Guelph Youth Orchestras, I was chauffeured to the event.
When I returned home my dear husband had changed our most used door handles from twist knobs to levers, which I can much more easily open.
Instead of being sad that there are more events happening that I’d like to attend, than I can physically cope with, I should be delighted that there is so much happening in our community.
Thanks for listening and now having typed this I have to stop to rest and ice my wrist, but next column I expect to be my sometimes annoyingly optimistic, cheery self again.
