I don't know where I got the flu from. Before you ask me about the flu shot, let me just tell you that I did not do it. This is not about a "serves you right" post. I have never had the flu shot and for years I've had flu like symptoms but never the full blown flu. Well, I guess you live and learn.
What does the flu feel like? I couldn't walk. I couldn't talk. I couldn't sit up in bed for longer than an hour. I was too exhausted to brush my teeth. Being a dentist, that was something that hit me. Way back in the days of my residency, with kids in the hospital, the last thing that would be taken care of would be the brushing of teeth. Now, I understand. I was too groggy and confused to think about standing and brushing for a good 2 mins. I'm also asthmatic and the flu triggered my asthma and so I wasn't breathing well either. My muscles hurt and spasmed randomly. Oh yeah. I couldn't hold down food. I even threw up a sip of gatorade. All of this and coughing lead to a headache also. Basically, I wasn't a happy camper.
All I'll say is that there are a lot of things we take for granted everyday. The ability to breathe normally is something that I still don't have, a week later. I think about having the energy to walk normally and just enjoy the weather outside. I think that's life. We don't see what we have until it's taken away. A lot of times I'm thinking about material things I want - a new Kindle for instance. Wanting puts me at a position of not having. After having the flu, I want nothing more than my health. Having all systems working normally is a gift indeed.
I'm not saying we shouldn't shoot for the stars with our goals or that we shouldn't want. I just feel that we don't recognize what we have so readily as our focus is not on what we have but what we don't have. A little gratitude goes a long way.
Here's hoping your lives are filled with plenty and you have no want.
Wishing you all the best in health and happiness,
TTR
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