Barbara WintroubPerhaps you read my recent post regarding my unplanned trip to the hospital. Perhaps you are wondering if this life experience has taught me anything. In fact, it has.
WHAT I LEARNED
When I left the hospital I was given a very long list of things I could not do. Not for a day, or a week…but until further notice. As an active senior, I pride myself on keeping busy. Some would say keeping busy is what keeps me sane. So needless to say I was not looking forward to the prospect of sitting in a chair, resting for weeks. But I did have time to reflect. And was fortunate to learn a few lessons along the way:
1. Stuff happens – things happen unexpectedly that change our lives in an instant. Too often, despite dozens of examples all around us, too many of us learn this lesson too late.
2. Challenge vs depression – for someone like me it is easy to focus on what one can’t do. I can’t play pickleball. I can’t exercise. I can’t drive. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. Focusing on this leads to a depression spiral from which it is difficult to recover. Instead, I have found I need to focus on my recovery as a challenge rather than a list of things I can’t do. There are things I can do!
3. It takes time — recovery takes time, and you can’t rush improvement. Try to practice patience…with yourself, with your body.
4. Live vicariously – You know that I love pickleball and frankly the thought of not playing for weeks or months was daunting. But I found I love being around pickleball and pickleball people. I have spent hours hearing friends recount their recent games. I have enjoyed going to watch tournaments. Being around the sport I love has strengthened me and made me happy!
Some may think I should have known these things after 70 years. But isn’t it great that you can still teach an old dog new tricks?