Life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes the turn is good fortune : happy news, a promotion, baby’s first steps, being alive. And sometimes it is bad : death, illness, financial distress. If I dwell on the negative things for too long, it’s easy to get sucked into a tornado of doom and gloom. A deadly case of “what if”. My brother in law has said in the past “if you were to sit around a table with a group of friends and everyone throws their troubles onto the table, you’d want your own back once you realize what the others had for problems”. It’s true, I think.

The easiest way to see through a gloomy outlook is to focus on what is good. Spiral up rather than down. Be grateful for your blessings and share the gratefulness with others. Be thankful for where you are and the lessons you’ve learned to get there. Do unto others …

Yesterday I had time alone to reflect on recent events. Everything works out as it should according to divine plans.

My friend suffered a skiing accident many years ago and did severe damage to her knee. Over the years doctors recommended a joint replacement but being young, she left it to heal naturally. Fast forward 25 years and she has forced to undergo surgery on the knee as her leg was warping to accommodate the bum joint. She gets surgery in April and seems to be healing well. However X-rays show significant scar tissue build up impeding the proper functioning of the new knee. So this week she’s having more surgery to repair the damage. Her attitude: I’ve come this far; I’m seeing it through so I can get full mobility back. And, she says, it’s out of my hands anyway. True.

A month ago we were shocked to find out that a good friend had a brain tumour. He’d had some issues with balance and fell which prompted his wife to force him to get medical tests. The result was a 1 inch growth in his right cerebral vortex: meningioma. Surgery was performed a week later and now he’s facing weeks of rehab at a brain trauma centre. He’s having trouble with vision, walking and concentrating. He’s experiencing hallucinations and seizures. His attitude: this too shall pass.

Yesterday was a celebration of life for our friend in Florida. He was barely 80 when Alzheimer’s symptoms appeared and quickly escalated. He became easily frustrated which turned to aggression and he was a physically strong man which presented numerous safety issues. His poor wife was forced to make the decision to institutionalize him. Shortly thereafter his condition worsened and he died with his wife by his side. Her attitude: we had a wonderful life which I’m grateful for.

My husband’s golfing buddy has suffered several strokes. Two of them were severe causing prolonged issues with vision. He also suffers from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis for which he has been medicated. Then last year, he fractured his vertebrae doing routine housework. In the spring he had spinal surgery; it was successful. But the trauma caused another stroke. He was in fear of losing his driver license (which was previously the case) and needed to complete a renewal test. He was worried and already had plan B in the works; his plan was to relocate permanently (he’s a snowbird) to Florida and get his license there. He took the test and passed. His attitude: I’m relieved that I can still have my independence.

I think I could write a book detailing anecdotes just in our circle of friends; the aforementioned are just from yesterday’s conversations! Imagine what a wider circle would uncover. The point is, we all have issues and problems. But we all have blessings, too.

This week I’m having joint replacement surgery. A new hip. (Hip hip hurray) While I’m nervous and excited (the thought of a pain free existence is exhilarating) I’m also trying not to “what if” and conjure up negative scenarios. I know it’s out of my hands. So I will focus on today and the moment I’m in. And be grateful for excellent surgeons and caregivers.

As the sun rose this morning I was reminded that each day is a gift. Put problems in your back pocket and move forward with gratitude. Carpe diem.

Philippians 4:6-7: 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”