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PAUSE – 14.37 – Good Health Nothing To Sneeze At!

sneezer-wReflection: Well, it’s been a very quiet week here – literally! My world was hijacked by a particularly nasty virus. It robbed me of my voice and left in its place a congested chest, muddled brain, hacking cough and world class case of lethargy.

I have experienced laryngitis before, but never a bout that lasted an entire week. As you might imagine, not having a voice is a significant loss for anyone, but especially for a speaker. When the problem persisted, I started to consider a possible future as a Stage Whisperer.

Eventually I was able to muster a bit of volume – but the screechy crackling sound quality sent small children running in fear and caused animals to cower in the corner.

I appreciate the valiant effort of my body in defending against this viral attack. Things are slooooowly returning to normal, and for that I am most grateful.

 

Action: Despite our best efforts to take our vitamins, get our exercise, drink water, eat well, and get our sleep, when an unexpected virus comes a-callin’ our health can take a beating while our bodies go down for the count! And, when good health takes a hike, our world closes in.

The experience has reminded me of how easy it is to take life’s bounty – including good health – for granted.

And health is just one of many blessings easily overlooked and underappreciated in the thrash and frenzy of daily life. Others include: loving relationships, interesting work, good friends, and safe community.

On waking each day for the last week, the first thing I tested was my voice. Now that it’s back again, it’s my intention to give voice first thing each morning to gratitude for the many things I tend to take for granted.

If you don’t already do so, I invite you to start your own day with a touch of gratitude. May that daily acknowledgement help you appreciate all that you have and all that it brings.

 

Quotes Of The Week: Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick.  Although we all prefer to use only the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place. – Susan Sontag

From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health. – Catalan Proverb

The greatest wealth is health. – Virgil

 

Resource Of The Week: Interested in a few tips to stay healthy through the holiday season? Here’s a collection of links to articles on stress relief, general health, fitness and nutrition.

 

Readers Write: In response to last week’s message, What Can You Do To Brighten Things Up, faithful Pause reader LC writes: For my last ten years or so in government, I lived in the cubicle world. Without touches of colour and humour it could indeed be drab and dreary. One thing that I did was to place a nice frame just outside my space with quotations that I would change periodically. My space happened to be in the line of traffic near the coffeepot, so most people saw whatever current words of wisdom there might be.

It’s not hard to find great, encouraging quotes that may have particular relevance where we work. My personal favourite was from that wise and often-quoted person, Anonymous:  “If I’m not here accepting the things I cannot change, I’m probably out trying to change the things I cannot accept.”

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Category:
Appreciation, Life in General, Overload & Overwhelm, Pause E-zines, Wellness

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