Outside the Box

This summer has been a medical mystery tour--a series of docs, bi-weekly visits to an excellent PT, tests galore, massages by Gabi Marcus--all to determine the cause of my painful lower legs, some days better than others.  My PT today said, "Since all your tests so far have been coming back just right [cardiology, pulmonomlogy, rheumatology, etc.] and since the arthritis doc doesn't think it's a vascular issue, let's think outside the box."

Other than that, I'm having a wonderful playful summer of learning from artists who have provided excellent videos I can watch while down and do while up. 

I made a non-book paper present for Carlene's 97th birthday and posted it to the Handmade Book Club on FB.  So far I've gotten 250 positive comments (the best being "I want to make this for......"). Imitation is indeed the highest form of flattery.  I'll post the picture Jan made after Carlene opens her gift on the 24th. 

It's my week to provide the prompts for my email writing group.  Here's today's prompt and Jan's response, so good I had to share it.

The prompt: When things go off the rails, what do you do to get back on?"

Jan's wisdom: 

Eat a slice or two of pizza.  It may not help, but it’ll make your taste buds tingle.

Say a prayer.  Patience is required as you await a magical transformation.

Take your pooch for a walk.  You’ll burn off the pizza calories and although you’re still off the rails, your dog is happy.

Chat with a friend.  If she listens, you’re on the mend.  Empathy heals.

Chat with someone who needs a friend.  You may still be off the rails, but you’ve cheered someone else.

Grab a paintbrush or pencil, go to your sewing machine or piano, dig around in your garden, sit down at your computer … and create something.  Anything.  It may be amateurish, self-pitying, socially questionable, but if it’s yours and it’s original, the effort will put you on a healing path.

Now, make a pizza or bake a cake or cook a big, healthy pot of soup and share it with someone.

 

Pray again.  This time for rain, for peace in all the world, for healing of our planet, for music to replace the madness, for love to transcend everything, for forgiveness for your crappy attitude when your life is really quite bountiful.

 

Go for another walk. This time, marvel at Nature’s bounty: the amazing colors, magical growth of a majestic tree or blooming shrub or tomato plant bursting with fruit, each born from a tiny seed.

 

Call a friend and let her talk.  Really listen.

 

Deliver your pizza or cake or soup to someone who needs a friend.

 

Keep creating art, music, poetry, anything that satisfies your soul.

 

Pretty soon, you’ve slipped back onto the rails without even noticing how it happened.