It’s Such a Good Feeling…

I didn’t have any idea what to write about this morning.  While I waited for inspiration to hit, I sat and took stock of my state of mental well-being, my health, and my plans for the day.  Somewhere along the way, I realized that what I need to say is directly related to that introspective journey.  

Some of you have seen my personal health blog.  It is titled “The Next Mountain to Climb.”  This title actually holds two meanings for me.  First is the obvious nod to my love of hiking and desire to reach the summit of as many mountains as possible.  The deeper, metaphoric meaning speaks to the challenges of life.  Everyone faces adversity, some of which is easily dealt with and disposed of. But other challenges, from the struggle to find employment, to interpersonal issues and even illness, stay with us and require our attention far beyond a few minutes’ time.  This morning, as I considered my situation, I noted that I wasn’t feeling very well, and that was definitely going to have the greatest impact on the way I approached the day.

At that point, I had two choices:  I could sit back and rue the fact that I’m feeling rather crappy today, moaning to myself about the unfairness of it all and or I could acknowledge it and move on to setting some goals (things I could handle between the nausea and dizziness). What to do, what to do?…?

It’s awfully easy to fall into the trap that the first option offers.  Why is it that humans are so susceptible to the lure of negative thinking?  When difficulties arise (and they do, no matter how hard we try to avoid them), many of us allow ourselves to be drawn into the downward spiral of negative thoughts and feelings.  The “what ifs” will just make any bleak situation worse.  I don’t know why they are such a siren-song for so many.

With those ideas in mind, I set my mind on the other option:  Acknowledging the existence of today’s mountain: the nausea and dizziness that are my current state of being and the limitations they impose on my daily activities. Like the boulders and rocks that sometimes block the trail on a mountain, I just have to find a way around them and continue to climb!  

Upon this realization, it was like the day brought a new ray of sunshine.  My mind cleared and even sent me a bit of song to help me on my way.  Does anyone remember Mr. Rogers?  He used to sing, “It’s such a good feeling to know your alive, such a happy feeling…”. I don’t remember the rest, but this is enough, isn’t it?  I hope you can all resist the allure of the negative and instead embrace that same good feeling today.

Comments

  1. PetersJanuary 9, 2024 at 12:42 PM

    Great reminders. In my Bible study we have been reading about Job…oh how he suffered. And yet…through it all, He still had hope and still praised God. Like you said, he “found away around the boulders” Love your positive attitude. Love YOU!!

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