Observation and Recovery

I noticed that this latest batch of flu/sinus infection garbage that is going around seems to be targeting a widespread base of folks. It appears I picked it up at work somehow. I took Monday and Tuesday off, having to call the Doc to get something to drive it off. I went back to work Wednesday, only to find the whole department sniffling, sneezing and coughing. Shhwew. Thought I gave it to them, but it turns out one of the equipment techs was complaining of it the week before. It took me until this week to really say I was feeling alot better.

I spent some time with a friend this past weekend. She was complaining of a sore throat early on. It has now turned to sinus infection. It would also appear that her cousin that lives with her and a bunch of her clan that were gathered over the weekend also are dealing with it. It can't be good when these little biological bugs start zapping folks who are gathered in the same room. I rule out any of the hugging and stuff that went on this past weekend at my friend's as my coworkers all shared it and we refrain from such things.

I wonder from time to time if we have made these bacteria and virus resistant to our medications by over medicating ourselves in general or is it just Mother Nature's way of saying we're tinkering too much with her plan. Science is a good thing and our knowledge of medicines has saved many lives. Nature, however, has a way of protecting herself by using a kind of adaptation that keeps things in check if you will. We see it in the animal world all the time. Species thought to be going extinct suddenly adapt and begin to thrive, sometimes to the point of impeding on us where we once were the impedament to them.

Hopefully, its just a passing bump in our wonderful development as a species. To all those who have this grand sinus thumping ailment, get some rest and lots of fluids.

Pain of the Heart, the Mind and the Body

We all experience various forms of pain in our lives. We all feel these pains somewhat differently, but we all experience them. This week, my pain seems to be that of the body. I managed to crop up a stupid sinus infection that needed heavier meds than what I could take over the counter. I'm healing up, maybe not as fast as I'd like but its going away none the less.

Sometimes, we experience pain of the heart, when we see one we care for hurting. Their hurts can be physical or mental. It really doesn't matter for we care only for their ultimate well being. We want to reach out and hold our loved ones until the pain is gone. Sometimes when we're distant from those we care about, we reach out in words and in love, hoping that those we care for will somehow feel comfort in our remote touch. In those times, we long to be at their sides to shield them from whatever hurts they bear.

Pain of the mind can be the hardest of the pains to deal with. This is not a real pain, per say, but it is by no means imagined. Pains of the mind often deal with stresses we put ourselves through. They frequently are associated with pains of the heart. These pains are ones that only we can feel. Anxiety over loves lost. Worring about finances. Wondering what the future holds. These usually originate from one of the other pains, but often like pains of the body, will fester if left untreated. We often hold things inside that we should share because we are afraid we will cause someone else pain, when in fact, many of these pains would diminish greatly with the help of our loved ones.

I've often wondered why it seems that these pains tend to come in batches. Do we bring that much of it upon ourselves? I don't believe so. There's a song by Bruce Carrol that I look to in times of pain. It's titles says it all "Something Good is Bound to Happen (or the Devil'd not be working overtime)"

"Something Good Is Bound To Happen"

Bruce Carroll

I woke up late this morning

the alarm clock just quit workin'

and I promptly spilled hot coffee

all over me

A mile of angry traffic

knows my fuel pump is a goner

and I'm starin' through

locked windows at my keys

Something good is bound to happen

or the Devil'd not be workin overtime

but you're always here beside me

and because of you I see

something good is bound to happen to me

My boss came in to tell me

that they're taking new directions

and he's sorry but he has to let me go

I just spent all our savings

trying to pull it all together

but I can make it through it all

becauseI know

Something good is bound to happen

or the Devil'd not be workin overtime

but you're always here beside me

and its because of you I see

something good is bound to happen to me

Its always one thing or another

to make us feel discouraged

but I get so encouraged

with just one word from you

Something good is bound to happen

or the Devil'd not be working overtime

but you're alway here beside me

and because of you I see

that something good is bound

to happen to me.