This will come off as an odd blog entry. I am sitting here writing this with a cracked/bruised rib. A chronic injury. My ribs are easily bruised or cracked resulting from the antics of my youth. Also, with all of the rain and then hot sun we have been having, the pollen counts is very high and my allergies are kicking my ass. This is made worse by the fact our furnace / air conditioner has not been working for three months. Normally, I can find respite in a cool air conditioned environment, but that is not to be so. I have been doubling up on allergy medication to no effect, fumbling with a netty pot for nasal relief and laying down with a face cloth and ice cubes over my eyes. Pretty dismal picture right? Wrong.

I will admit that bruised ribs and severe allergies can be unpleasant, but they are temporary maladies. In a month, the ribs will heal, and the allergies normally have a three week period where they are really bad; after that they have much less of an impact.

There are people that deal with much worse and on a ongoing basis. You do not have to look far to see people who are dealing with severe illness, terminal conditions, chronic pain, are confined to a wheel chair, or even bedridden. That puts it into perspective for me. Whatever I am dealing with is pretty damn minor. I am affected by seasonal allergies each year and normally, something flares up with my ribs on an annual basis. I look at it that each year I am given a gentle reminder to carpe diem. These minor setbacks offer humility as they remind me that my mobility is not something to take for granted. My health is not something to take for granted. I am thankful that I am a fairly healthy person who gets to lead an active life. I am thankful for my health and for the reminders that I should not take it for granted. (I will admit that it does suck to have an allergy sneezing fit and a bruised rib at the same time though).

The greatest wealth is health.  ~ Virgil