Okanagan Lake, looking north in Penticton
A few weeks back I was home by myself and developed some chest tightness and deciding to be cautious I went to the emergency room at the hospital here. I actually went first to a walk in clinic and they sent me to ER, lesson learned right there I did.
That was Friday, and I finally returned home Sunday afternoon after spending two nights at the hospital and I will spare you the details except I stayed an extra day after reacting to the drug treatment and my tongue swelled up until I was unable to swallow and only barely breathe. After eight hours of that, I was much more understanding of people who have allergies.
Looking back I was wondering how do we react when we have a close call? When a car nearly hits us? When someone we know is severely sick? We are in an accident and walk away from a totalled vehicle? When someone we know has some type of crisis?
Regardless of the event, it seems to me that whether it is us or someone else – it is close calls that cause us to reevaluate our lives, treat ourselves better, treat our loved ones or ourselves more thoughtfully perhaps?
I request your thoughts or comments. How often do you self evaluate? Every New Year? When you or someone you love has a close call? Never or maybe you are very mindful person and it comes naturally.
Regardless my lesson for myself I have been thinking about when walking today was not waiting for motivation from a close to do a kindness to someone including myself.
Thanks for taking time to read, and comment.
I am looking forward to reading and responding to you. 🙂
I will place this in my category called Thinking Out Loud. Thanks for listening in.
Life and Random Thinking 
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsWell, my a.a. sponsor has me reevaluating my life rather frequently, usually when anxiety or depression or anger have me riled up. None of that mindfulness stuff comes naturally to me, but 12 step recovery has made it a bit easier. Generally, left to my own devices, I’m not going to reevaluatemy life until the pain of staying the same outweighsthe fear of change. Which makes me glad my sponsor is part of my life😊
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsAnd I’m glad you’re ok now!
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I really enjoy your dry humor and honest outlook, I hope your sponsor does also.
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David:
Get well and enjoy the Christmas Season. Happy New Year to you and yours.
No more hospital stays buddy.
Barry
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Thanks Barry, I miss our chats.
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Most of us will never anticipate or consider a close call until it occurs. If we did, there would never be a close call except for those few exceptions where someone steps forward and does a heroic act regardless of personal risk. But close calls occur all the time, part of being human and breakable. A very good reason to live every day to the fullest and as if it is your last.
Season’s Greetings to all.
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Thank you Uncle Ken, I appreciate the truth you share. How can we adopt or really practice that mindset? One suggestion is to try to avoid “rainy day” thinking, and instead treat ourselves now. Try a new restaurant, have a pedicure, make that phone call, send that card.
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I know what you mean! Thank God you’re OK!!!! I had a close-miss would-be driving accident this summer, and it left me quite rattled. I prayed. Praised God that I was unharmed and still alive!!!! Said more praises and prayers. Then pulled off the freeway at the first town, abandoning all further plans as to what my mission out had originally envisioned. I just needed to talk to someone about how I had escaped death, yet again! Poor store clerk at the pet store I stopped in to had to hear my story. And the people in line at the bank. Still rattled, I ended up in a movie theater, which allowed my emotions to flow . . . Stay well!!! Just writing and sharing this with us all will help! Count every blessing you have, and tell those you love how much they mean to you. That’s the best advice I know how to give :)) :)) :)) Dawn
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Thank you sincerely for your heartfelt words. I do practice gratitude daily and it’s that power of giving thanks under all circumstances that has profound effects in giving me peace. Bless you, g’night.
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:)) :)) Each of us muddle through this thing called “Life” doing the best we can — I appreciate you and all the good conversations we’ve had over the blogs. Take care!!!! :))
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You gave a big smile. Take care and I appreciate you also
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Glad you’re okay! I self evaluate twice a year, once around New Year’s, and again on my birthday in early July. Most of the evaluation is based on the goals I’d set previously to see if I reached them, or at least worked hard enough to try. For 2017, I did reach my goals, but it was so much work and effort that I’m exhausted now, and realizing that I need to scale back on the goal list for 2018.
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Twice a year is a good idea. Setting realistic goals is difficult sometimes because sometimes we set the bar too low.
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Exactly! After all these years, I still have trouble finding the right balance, partly because things in my world change. This year & next year, for instance, we’re dealing with the realization that my mother needs assisted living. Lots of work involved!
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope that you will find top-notch care for your mother.
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Sorry to hear about your health Dave! No matter how much money one makes,health is by far the most valuable asset we have!
I am aware of what you are talking about.That shot of raw primal adrenaline that turns our blood cold white.I don’t think anyone can become so familiar with that response that they would say “fine”.
Nature has designed that response so we survive! When I go back into Nature I am constantly aware of my fragility & so tread lightly.
I assume your heart is ok?
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I have a suppressed immune system due to my kidney transplant. I was feeling pressure from an internal infection causing fluid around my heart. Not a good thing and hard to detect and it can trigger a cardiac “event”. Feeling better now.
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Excellent! Being aware is 51% of the solution!
Why is this link at the beginning of your text Dave? I clicked onto it & it just shows computer programming stuff?https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.js
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I don’t know?
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Glad you are doing better Dave and ready to enjoy a blessed Christmas with family.
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Thanks Ernie, I wish you the exact same.
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My husband has stage 4 cancer. I write about it sometimes on my blog. He is receiving treatment and responding positively. So many forces had to work together for it to be discovered as soon as it was although it is now in his blood, but he is still with us and doing well. So, yes we both have had to re-evaluate who we are, what we are doing, and how best to spend our time. We are optimistic about the New Year. I hope you will be feeling better.
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I have had two kidney transplants and waiting for another chance. I can empathize with health issues and I hope your husband responds to full health. So scary to even contemplate.
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He is in good hands with the VA and our doctors. Since his cancer type is so rare, he is getting lots of attention and they are up on everything happening to him. We are very grateful to be so near the VA Hospital.
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My son and I visited the lido beach area in Florida and enjoyed it. It is good your husband is getting prompt attention. I am glad you are together.
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