Lest you think the title of this post is simply a figurative statement, let me clarify: my head is on crooked. At least that's what the physical therapist told me this week.
The atlas, or first cervical vertebra, provides support for the skull, much like the outstretched arms of the mythical figure, Atlas, support the world. (Click on the links to see photos.) Well, it seems that my atlas is slightly rotated, which explains why my neck always hurts and I have lousy rotational range of motion.
It also means that my head, quite literally, is not on straight.
Like I really needed someone to tell me that.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that my head is, figuratively, not screwed on straight either. My sweetie and I have been discussing, in light of the stressful crap the Universe keeps throwing at us, that perhaps we are not looking at things from quite the right angle. We stressed for two years over finding a new home and finally found one. Yet our stress has not been reduced, thanks to all the family health stuff going on lately.
We are now dealing with a new stressful situation, one that threatens our belief that we found the right home after our long search, and have decided that something has got to change. We have to approach our lives from a different angle.
Instead of focusing so much on how we are going to make it through climate change, peak oil, and economic challenges - future events that may play out in many different ways that we really can't predict, we want to get back to living in the present and actually enjoying our day-to-day life. This doesn't mean that we will turn a blind eye to the direction things are going, but it does mean we will no longer allow thoughts of and preparations for it to be all-consuming.
I'm hoping that as I get my head screwed on straight mentally that the physical therapists will be able to help get my head screwed on straight physically. In the meantime, I don't know where this blog will be going. It may nod along slowly as it has been lately, it may angle off in another direction entirely, or it may support a new platform for attempts to bring about necessary change. Stay tuned.
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16 comments:
Can't wait to see what's next!
Thanks for sharing the thoughts on living in the present. That is probably one of the things I've resented the most since starting the garden, food preservation, etc.. I feel like I'm so busy planning ahead that I'm not enjoying the here and now.
And my schedule does not always either one - enjoying the present or planning for the future. I have a ton of peaches to can, but am so tired I'm just going to work and coming home, eating supper and going to bed this week.
Everything is a balancing act, but sometimes it's hard to figure out what the balance should be. I'd encourage you to keep the blog going - even with however you change (or not change) your life, I would still be interested in what you are thinking and doing. So often it gives voice to something I am thinking or doing, which helps me figure it out too.
Dang! nothing is worse than having to question the whole purpose of some action when you thought you had it all decided.
All I know is, sometime you just gotta go where the path is leading you especially when you've tried to make it go another direction and keeps leading you back to where it wants you to go. it may take you to exactly what you want even if it has a detour.
I do truly hope you don't have to become involved in another relocation though.
sending good thoughts,
shamba
You get a whole new perspective on things with a significant health issue (i.e. this could actually kill you!). I've decided that today is just fine. I may consider next week but anything outside that is interesting but not imminent. That said I do still try to do the right things and follow stuff.
I think its called mellowing old age :)
Anyhow I like reading your stuff and why on earth would I want another deadly serious (and most likely boring) blog to read. There are plenty of those out there already.
viv in nz
I hope you have a good phys therapist, who can help you work through the spinal bit. It must have been quite a surprise to hear news like that.
My sympathy for the issues causing you stress at home. Only you can know if they are worth fretting about, or whether you should make a change. Maybe king a break from your prep for the future will clear your thoughts so you can work it through.
Maybe we just get too focused on something that we don’t have enough enjoyment in our lives? I wrote about folks who are so wrapped up in gadgets that they can’t “live in the moment”, but maybe the rest of us can get so wrapped up in frugality/prep/or anti-tech that we are just as afflicted. I hope your issues are soon resolved and you find a “new normality” :)
Chile...just live in today, the present. I know that with everything going on in the world this is hard but it's the way I deal with it. What happens if I die before my debts are gone? Nothing since they are in my name only. I don't worry about it. I can't change it...I just go day to day and month to month and try to make the best decisions I can!
I have a delete key for all my sister's emails of the horrible stuff going on in the world and I try to laugh when I see her arguing with old friends from when she was a teenager about political topics. It's getting crazy as she gets older. Thankfully I have the delete key. Right now I read them and then delete them. I sure can't change the world...and neither can any other one person so just enjoy day to day!!!!!! I know how you feel, it is hot, it is crazy in Arizona this year and we just have to deal with it!
I think it's time for you to take a breath and just work on a few eco-items at a time... worrying about everything you do becomes its own job... you've done more than anyone I know to lead an eco-conscious life so don't be afraid to relax... I hope you don't give up the blog because I so enjoy what you write but that's being selfish... maybe now that the doctor has found the problem, things will get fixed and it will be easier to make decisions... will keep you in my prayers... come visit when you can...
Twitter: SolarChief
Chile,
Hope you get it all figured out and the health issues resolved and......
I'm so glad you've decided to relax a little! Life's to short, you do the best you can living lightly but going overboard and ruining your health and happiness over it isn't worth it.
It's nice when living lightly actually adds joy to your life. I love to ride my bike to run errands, hanging out laundry, going to the library, gardening, thriftstoring(I know that's not a word!) and the like.
But we also love to travel and get together with friends and family etc, which sometimes interferes with garden chores. But fun wins out over work every time and we never regret that!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
You know...I can completely relate. I still am working on my plan for the future, but I refuse to stress myself about it. I also want to live life to the fullest and everything is a balancing act - for the sake of my own sanity. Can't wait to see what's next!
Good Luck,
Being aware but choosing to live a quality life is such a powerful decision. I hope this change of energy dissipates much of the stress you have been experiencing
Kind Regards
Belinda
I think Belinda said it well.
Take a deep breath and enjoy a cliche -- sunset, etc.
My summer has been rife with unpleasant dental visits, much air conditioning, no gardening, and a lot of work --- I had to put the apocolypse on hold while I shift professional gears.
But transitions are good things.
Take care and be well.
Check out this blog, the author lives in a wonderful spot if you're thinking of relocating. I used to live close by and it's an awesome part of the country.
dc - what blog?
I hope things settle for you in a way that allows you to see the right path for yourself. It can be hard at times to see that. Sometimes we are looking at it too close, sometimes we are looking too far ahead. Taking each day as it comes is great advice, though not always easy to do! We're rootin' for ya!
Oops! http://www.fragmentsfromfloyd.com/
Kathryn - all I want is some calm time. I can wait, although having things more settled would be nice.
dogear6 - I have done very little food preservation this year. It worries me on one level, but I simply don't have the time or energy for it, so I have to let it go and hope the previously preserved supplies and fresh stuff will get us through.
Shamba - nothing seems to be going as planned this year. C'est la vie. I would appreciate it, though, if someone would put better signs on the path so we could figure out the best one to take!
Viv - chronic pain and health issues suck. 'nuff said.
4 Bushel Farmgal - nothing surprises me with my neck and shoulder anymore. One part or another has been screwed up so long that I can't even imagine life with them working right.
We are focusing more now on doing what needs to be done right now (like weed-eating the jungle outside) and enjoying ourselves (by hiking in a nearby park). It may not be terribly productive or practical for the long-run but it is helping for the short-run.
Nancy - if only the delete key worked on everything! :)
Sharlene - I've not abandoned everything, but I've scaled back to a manageable level. No significant progress yet on the health issues but the "expert" is seeing me later this week.
dc - many of the 'lighter' things we do are more enjoyable. Biking would be more fun if I was in better shape but I'm not, so getting there is going to entail going through some work. I'm at the local library at least once a week! Unfortunately, the best thing growing right now are weeds. They are thrilled about the really wet summer we're having.
Thanks for the link suggestion.
Beany - I'm a slow learner. ;-)
Belinda - in some aspects, it has been easier lately. We have no control over some of the outside stressors but can choose how we react to them.
SusanB - transitions are good things? You're talking to someone who doesn't like change here. I have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, through change, even though on the other side, I'll usually acknowledge is was a good thing...
RuralAspirations - right now the path is too overgrown with weeds. LOL
Because there is no way to predict the future accurately, choosing the right path is almost impossible. Choosing what seems to be the right path only to have someone throw up a "Road Blocked" sign is very discouraging.
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