snotty clarity
cece's musings on sickness, last week's accomplishments, and the power of ordinary people
“Do not blindly believe what others say. See for yourself what brings contentment, clarity and peace. That is the path for you to follow.”~Gautama Buddha
The thing about being sick is routine is thrown out the door. Sleep is compromised. Too much tv is watched. Plans are cancelled. Cold medicines spawn fuzzy brains. Reality blurs. It is a cold and flu sucker punch. That green slimy character from the commercials lands on your chest. Bam! Feel like a steaming pile of doo doo? Pow! Guess who’s in charge now, buddy! Blam! Forget normal; it’s green snot time! Hey! Got plans? Not for awhile, dork!
Feeling annoyed, bitter, and very very crabby, I longed for my life. My daily routines. My dots on the calendar. My normal. My peace. Every day I felt a tiny bit better, yet glimmers of hope mocked me when I had a Sunday backslide.
Today, though, the crud has lifted. I imagine all the cliches: rainbows, sunrises, trumpets blaring. Hallelujah chorus is singing from the heavens. It is time to rescue my health from the green bully.
I will go out among the living, breathe deeply, and consider myself lucky.
“Sickness is a place…and it’s always a place where there’s no company, where nobody can follow.” ~Flannery O’Connor
Among my piles of Kleenex and Lysol wipes, I did accomplish five things last week:
Amid the cruelty and chaos that is happening in our country, I’ve decided to declare weekends a sacred place. No news, emails, or social media of any type. Just peace. An agnostic type of sabbath or shabbat, a time to free my psyche from the noise of the world.
I finished a small green blanket I was knitting. It now sits upon my footstool where the cat has claimed it for her afternoon naps.
I finally walked both weekend days after a week of frigid temperatures. It was glorious to have the sun on my face as I navigated our neighborhood sidewalks.
I read three books: Tidelands and Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory, the first and second in her Fairmile series; and The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman. These historical fiction novels were about freedom, power, the suppression of women, disinformation, prejudice, and grifters. A reminder that bad actors have been around since the beginning of time, yet dedicated individuals can work together for justice and truth.
I contacted my representative and senators through emails and calls, urging them to do their jobs, to follow their oaths to the constitution and this country, and to stand up for ALL their constituents.
“Citizenship is what makes a republic- monarchies can get along without it.”~Mark Twain
I am heartsick for my country: the lack of character and backbone in our “leaders,” the ransacking of our treasury and our data, the firing of dedicated public servants, the siding with despots, and the cruelty that is coursing through our states.
Yet, I am encouraged by the everyday actions of citizens. Look around. There are helpers everywhere.
I am determined to find joy in everyday life. It’s my stand, my intent, my resistance.
“Resist much, obey little.”~Walt Whitman
“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”~Ernest Hemingway
“To be alive at all is to have scars.”~John Steinbeck
And…a few writers who have inspired me lately….
You should be proud by how much you accomplished! We are just getting over that nasty virus and I spent most days going from bed to the couch then back to bed. It made me thankful that I'm usually quite healthy.