The Week of Introspection Dec. 24 - 31

I have learned something in the past two months, and it goes something like this:

When the doctor said "get your affairs in order, it appears like you have a malignancy and you'll need two months off" - the world STOPS. You go through all the thoughts that people naturally do, to see if you have any regrets and what you would do differently. Sail to Bolivia, become a writer in Vermont, divorce or ditch your partner - the works. People do this stuff. I looked around and realized that I was in the right job, I did sleep with the right guy, I was happy, and I really wouldn't change much of anything. So if I had to say goodbye because my number was up, then so be it. I probably wouldn't do anything dramatic and life-changing. No different job, no trip to Bolivia, no different guy. It spoke volumes to me.

I also know that regardless of your spiritual center, God speaks to us in ways we understand. The messages abound in the natural world if we listen.


What do you hear?

I had a lot to think of. Last year, at this time, I was unable to speak except for a few words at a time. On Dec 17, 2004 I had a stroke while at work. The only thing affected was my speech. I was fine one minute, talking and laughing with my friends and the next minute, I was not able to say but two or three words at a time. This was a disaster for me because I use my voice for a living. I am a customer service specialist. The stroke happened just before I was to start my shift (12:30-9pm)

I was taken by ambulance to the hospital (even tho the hospital was across the street, you get seen faster that way) I spent 5 days in the hospital and with therapy was able to go back to work in 7 weeks. While my speech will never be what it was, I have come back 95% to where I was before.

It was a total wakeup call for me. I have high blood pressure but had been lax about taking my medication. I am now on a different BP medication as well as a blood thinner. No one ever expects to have a stroke at age 48, but it can happen at any age. I had ignored the warning signs because I did not recognize them. I know now if I ever have the signs again to get to the doctor fast. Next time I may not be as lucky. I only lost my ability to speak for a short while, I could have been paralized.

That is what I am truly thankful for.

Wow, these are so touching. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

After being outsized/downsized from my job of almost 20 yrs in September I am glad that I have the opportunity to do something with my life that I really wanted to do. Yes I have to make some changes in my lifestyle but I knew that my job was ending and it was a good thing. If it hadn't I was going to quit.
Don't spend your life doing a job that you no longer enjoy-it brings you and many people around you down. Now after 3 months it doesn't seem that I ever worked there-but so much time wasted that I could have put to better use.