As I sit in my living room still recovering from surgery I'm trying to squash my impatience and irritability! I'm not healing as fast as I want and I'm suffering from nerve endings that are awakening and debilitating fatigue. I know in order to overcome this impatience I need to shift my focus from negative thoughts to more positive ones. I need to think of things I'm grateful for. I know looking for good things, even in bad times, will keep me joyful! Here are just a few of those things:
letters, cards, emails, texts - from church friends,
family, and online friends near and far
good food - meals brought to our home
and prepared frozen meals
(you know, some of them aren't too bad!)
warm weather - beautiful days
that I've been able to sit outside,
breathe the fresh air, and
soak in a little sunshine
waterproof surgical tape - I don't know what
I'd do without my hot morning showers that
bring relief to aching muscles.
dissolving stitches - oh, yes!! no removal of stitches for me!
Tylenol - I've been able to control my
discomfort with Tylenol instead of continuing
stronger pain medication which makes me loopy.
blogging - with limited right arm movement I needed to find something relatively easy to satisfy my creative side which is rather bored right now! Voila! Blogging! I've been lax for several months with my blog, but this time of recover has brought back the joy of blogging!
prayers and thoughts - I know the power of prayer
and appreciate all that have been spoken for my healing.
flowers - I've enjoyed two beautiful bouquets which I've spent some time photographing. Jerry set up a table near a window and with the use of my tripod I can manage my bigger camera.
And, then there's you!
I'm so very grateful that you
continue to read my words
and leave such kind comments.
I'm beginning this day with joy in my heart
for the blessings I have!
When you shift your focus
from what is absent
to what is present,
from what is missing
to what has been given,
from what you are not
to who you are…
abundance is yours,
effortlessly.
~Jeff Foster
Love this and we are thankful for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration for us all. I might wallow in self-pity for a while, maybe quite a while. It is amazing what our creative minds can come up with when we give it a little pep talk. Gorgeous flowers. Continuing to pray for healing and relief from pain for you.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I had no idea you were having surgery. I hope you heal quickly and fully. I'll be thinking of you, Cathy!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful images, Cathy. I'm sure that photography, which you can manage so well thanks to your table and tripod. I'm sure that having this passion is a great help in your recovery period. Such gorgeous flowers and I love the creamy colour of that last rose.
ReplyDeleteI can well understand that you wish to heal quicker, but these things take the time they need and we learn how to be patient and think of all the wonderful things we can be grateful for!
Dear Cathy, we were in the same group of 'Adventures in seeing' and since then I like to follow your blog. I love your photos and stories. I'm sad to hear you had a breast cancer operation and I whish you a lot of patience and strength with your recovery. ��
ReplyDeleteMirjam Baay
The Netherlands
It is so good to see a blog post and read your words. It is so true that while we cannot control our circumstances or life events often, we can influence the way in which we see and feel about them, how we react to them. Patience is difficult. It's a tall order. It asks for time, a lot of time, and well, it's hard to be patient. Will you have a chance to see a physio-therapist or maybe a massage therapist who could work to bring some ease to the sore muscles? Can you still work on jigsaws in this or is it not comfortable to do that? Someone at work does jigsaws online. I'd never heard of that but I think it might be a good bridge while you do the necessary mending. It always sounds cliche but one day at a time, one day at a time. And NAP. If you sleep is poor, take a good hour nap anytime before 4PM and if possible, in bed. That way your body associates sleep with bed (versus sleeping on couch or in chair). But if bed is not comfortable, use chair. Yes, I did just give a sleep workshop! (grin) Some rest is a huge game changer in how we feel. Resting is part of body healing. This is a long comment!
ReplyDeleteLoving prayers from Seabright,
Pam
Your blog went perfectly with my morning devotional today about how our focus is so easily shifted from God. Thank you for sharing, and I’m happy you are getting stronger every day. I will continue to pray for you!
ReplyDeleteI think the right attitude can go a long way in our recovery, Cathy, and it sounds like you definitely have it... You have a wonderful support system and I'm sure that means the world to you. I'm sure you will heal soon, but in the meantime, relax and treat yourself well! Keeping you in my prayers and wishing you and your family every blessing over this Easter weekend...
ReplyDeleteThese lovely photos of the flowers also bring joy and peace to those of us seeing them - thank you. It is so hard not to be your old active self but, unfortunately, the older we get the harder it is to get over illnesses and surgery. Take care of yourself and 'make haste slowly' - you don't want to push yourslef too hared and cause more problems. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI know from my sister's experience with breast cancer that healing is a process. It takes time and has its ups and downs. It's especially hard if you are used to being in good health and having the ability to do what you want, when you want. I'm glad for your beautiful flowers, and that you can still make photographs. And I'm so glad the weather's been nice enough for you to get outside! Your positive attitude and your faith will get you through.
ReplyDeleteYour creativity and positive attitude will get you through this. I know that it doesn't really compare, but I was stunned by the pain and aches after my wrist surgery and also very impatient to arrive at some form of normal. This is a good time to enjoy the simple, beautiful things around you and know that you will be feeling well again in the not-too-distant future. I love the close up images of your pretty flowers! I wish you all the best as you recover!
ReplyDeleteCathy, you may never know the lives you touch with your positive instead of negative thinking. Your flower photos are beautiful and I am so glad you are able to use your camera. I am praying for you and that you will experience His presence in a very special way during this Easter season. Hugs...
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