September 2020
I still can't believe how fast time flies! Wow! This has been what they are calling the Year of Sorrows, and with the Covid-19 Pandemic, it truly has been a complete upheaval of life as we knew it!
However, PLEASE don't call this a "New Normal" 'cuz you'll hear me GROWLING in the background! This is NOT the NEW NORMAL! It may be 'different' than what you're used to, but it's NOT going to be the NEW normal! Why? 'Cuz I REFUSE to let this be my new normal! PERIOD!
Just because something changes in our lives doesn't mean it will (or should) become a normal way of life. Of course I'm not fond of change, nobody is whether they've had a traumatic incident in their life or not. It's how you HANDLE that change, or learn to ADAPT to that change that is important.
Right now we're having to wear masks if we're out in public, doctors offices, grocery stores, etc. and although there aren't a lot of dine in restaurants open, they are limited with how many people they can seat, NOTHING is normal!
Many companies have gone out of business because they are small and may not be considered "essential" thus leaving many people out of work, looking for something they could do at home, or just trying to think of another type of job they could do (perhaps from home) and try to make a living at it.
I have heard so many people complain because they're bored, or just don't know what to do with all the "time" they suddenly have on their hands. I shake my head and say, "Wow, these people must not have a HOBBY 'cuz they'd never be bored another day in their life!
Ok, so I realize not everybody has a hobby, wants a hobby, or is artistic enough to even think about having a hobby. SOOOOO, I guess I need to get a REAL LIFE 'cuz I should honestly know that not all people think outside the box, or are artistically minded. OUCH! I just can't imagine my life in that ball park! Why? 'Cuz I'd be going NUTS!
For so many years I was stuck "INSIDE" the box which made life a real struggle for me 'cuz I hadn't thought or functioned in that realm for so many decades I almost can't remember what it felt like. Things were so easy for me to think outside the box, so not only having to start thinking INSIDE the box, but LIVING in that box was a new kind of hell on earth for me.
The good thing now is, I'm so used to living inside that box that when I get a "moment" (I do mean just a MOMENT) where I may drift outside the box, I'm AMAZED at myself and even get a grin on my face when that light bulb comes on! (yes, I'm grinning) So, when you get that amazed moment, CHERISH it 'cuz in the early years those moments are few and far between, but they DO get better!
See? There's always something GOOD in the midst of the BAD, we just have to FIND IT, that's all!
So what's going on in my life during this Year of Sorrows? The hardest thing has been to cancel the weekly and bi-weekly therapy I've had for so many years just because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. I found an awesome lady who does massage therapy (we call it Medical Massage, 'cuz there is PAIN involved). I used to tease her and say, "I can't believe I actually PAY to have someone inflict pain on me!" Then we'd laugh!
But it's true! Getting down to those inner muscles and trying to open up the nerve endings that have been trapped, pinched and damaged for so many years can get quite painful, but over time it's been a huge help. I also see a D.O. who helps me stay sane in a crazy world where the "body" doesn't have as much control over itself than I would like. He keeps me off of pain meds and gives me times of reprieve where I can actually feel more "human" once again.
So the pain levels have been extremely high this year, but that too shall pass I'm sure...I just wish it would find it's way out the door a bit quicker, that's all!
Have you found a "new way" to do an "old thing" yet in your journey? Or have you (like me), found that after time you're able to return to an "old way" and still be able to accomplish the same result? That used to drive me nuts when I first got hurt because doing things was so easy, it was just like breathing.....I didn't have to think twice about it, it just came that easy. If you have, then congratulations, you've accomplished something awesome and I'm super happy for you because that in itself was a HUGE thing!
Never Give Up, and continue to keep trying!
~ barbara jean ~