Finally, I'm feeling better.
Although I am still sneezing and coughing, at least I am not having to stay in bed for periods at a time because the dizziness of stopped up ears are making it impossible to do anything but lay down.
I've blamed the cold snap that has hit Florida and being outdoors way too long for catching this nasty cold. Well, I'm also to blame because I quit my routine of taking handfuls of vitamins to boost my immune system. I was trying to save money since I was "feeling so good I don't need them" . . . I didn't stop to think that is why I was feeling good!
Living on the edge of a zone 9 climate is very strange. The fluctuations in temperature from one day to the next is enough to bring on a cold. In the days before the cold snap, we had the air conditioner going. Seems like from one moment to the next, it goes from AC to heater. I hate the cold weather and have been a bit grumpy because it has inconvenienced my life, along with this nasty flu or cold . . . whatever you want to call it.
The laundry room is part of the outdoor carport. Part of my grumpiness is brought on by not being able to catch up on the stacks of clothes staring at me . . . begging to be washed. They are mocking me since they know that I won't step foot outside until I am done with this illness. Now that I am feeling better, I have the energy to get it done, but don't dare subject myself to the cold temperatures that can lead to taking a step backward and having to deal with stuffy sinuses and stopped up ears all over again.
As I sat at my computer with my cup of coffee, all comfy in my heated house, visiting other blogs, it hit me.
What I had forgotten is to be grateful instead of being grumpy about those things that are inconveniencing me.
My grateful list is extremely long this morning and an overwhelming feeling of contentment took over.
Yes, it is unusually cold for my part of the world and I hate it . . . but I read the blogs of those who live in colder climates, experiencing blizzards. At least the sun is shining in sunny Florida and have one more night of extreme cold before going back to normal. They are in the midst of it with no end in sight. I had forgotten about them while wallowing in my misery.
My cold will be gone in a few days . . . but I read the blogs of those with chronic illnesses who suffer pain routinely . . . it is their norm. I had forgotten about them too.
And more than anything . . . I'm so grateful for the love of a man who loves taking care of me and appreciates how I take care of him. It is our first holiday season together after spending last season hundreds of miles apart in the midst of a long distance relationship. My life has finally come together and it is my first joyous and happy holiday season since my husband passed away eight years ago. I am so blessed . . . good things come to those who wait!
Ok . . . so I exaggerated my message for today with way too many details to target on how it is human nature to wallow in what is wrong, being negative and feel sorry for ourselves. In the midst of the pity party, it is difficult to see the positive aspects in our lives and be grateful for them, no matter how small. They are blessings that should be embraced for the treasures they are.
Simple abundance!
It took me going back to being grateful to get back to feeling better.
