Last week I had a few days in bed with acute pain. It happens. I was diagnosed with M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) thirty-four years ago. Some years/weeks/days are better than others. The hardest part is the unpredictability. So, lying in bed waiting for pain meds to kick in, I was surprised at the thought that arose:
There has never been a better time to have a debilitating chronic illness.
This was not me trying to find a “silver lining” to the situation. I am as attached as anyone to fulfilling anticipated activity for the day, although I’ve probably had more practice at letting go of plans than most.
But the thought made me smile- because it’s true.
Lying in bed with my laptop, I have access to the world. I can write emails, read news, connect on social media, take a course, listen to podcasts, watch movies, order food, do research, check in with family, and offer some of my writing to the world. And, I can do all of this without revealing to anyone I may be in touch with that I am lying in bed, a hot mess of pain and exhaustion.
None of this took away the pain of the moment, but it did perk me up to consider how modern technology has enabled us to access large aspects of the world, even when we cannot walk outside.
And, despite the pain (which I know from experience will ebb and flow- much better today) I was flooded with gratitude that made me grin, even as I tucked the covers up under my chin.
It is a good time to be alive.
~Oriah "Mountain Dreamer" House
And one of the wonderful things I am able to do whether sick or well is see the spectacular photos of Karen Davis at Open Door Dreaming posted daily.
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Thank you for this messag. AND, i am struggling to understand how you can write about "A good time to be alive" and not mention at all what the collective is going thru literally all over the global. We are so fortunate to be living at a time that is deeply interconnected from Australia to Papua new Guinea and to young people at universities to senior marching at the womens march last month. It seems so odd to me that you would write such a thing and not mention ANYTHING about the energies swirling around everywhere...e v e r y w h e r e.
ReplyDeleteJust some feedback
With love and good wishes, and deep appreciation for your reflections,
Marcia
Marcia, simply was not the subject of this particular blog. I try to keep them short and to a single point.
Delete. . . and. . . the interconnection with all that is happening on the planet right now is a mixed blessing. Certainly there is incredible levels of mutual support, but there can also be an exhausting load of information flooding in non-stop (some of it misinformation.) Certainly a topic worthy of more extensive reflection. :-)
Deletethis is so true, sister! I frequently read your blog from my bed or sofa for the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteKate- good to connect here. :-)
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