Reflections on Gratitude

I got into an accident last Saturday while playing basketball. I grossly dislocated my left foot and broke my bone (fibula) in the process. I had to undergo a major operation, pay a large sum of money for the stainless steel and endure some physical pain. Despite all of these seemingly negative circumstances though, I am still grateful. I can say I am genuinely happy in spite of all that has happened (please refer to my smile hehe). While in the hospital, I thought of writing the things I can be grateful for:

1. Lightness. While it’s sad to cancel all my plans in the coming weeks such as my 11-day trip to Western Mindanao (for my provincial capitol project), mountaineer reunion in Cebu, PSE lecture, bouldering Mondays, premiere night of Cleaners (my brother’s debut film), etc., there’s a sense of lightness that came by letting go of all these things. I no longer have to worry and think about any of those, I just have the present to enjoy and cherish. I don’t have any to-do list. Having this light feeling is something I haven’t experienced for a while. Less is more.

2. Solitude. My typical day in the hospital involves waking up in the morning, eating meals, sleeping, physical therapy, rest, then repeat. There’s just me, my guardian, and silence. I love it. The last time I had really long episodes of silence and solitude was during my volunteer year in Dapdap. I miss those times where I just watch the sunset change its color (mostly orange and blue) in solitude. I am writing now and trying to reflect about life, what is really important, who really matters, etc. Solitude allo

ws us to enter that sacred space.

3. Healing. I am still amazed how wounds can heal through therapy, through time. Not all wounds heal, but most do including what I have now. I am thankful for the people who, in one way or another, made this healing possible (the nurses, the doctors, physical therapists, the maintenance crew, the quick response team, office HR, officemates, friends, family, the Almighty). I am just happy that the medical technology we have today will still enable me to do the things that I love – in time.

Responsibility

One of the books I read before said that we have the ability to choose how to respond or react to every circumstance we encounter or experience. We are response – able. We can’t always control the situations we are in but we can always control how to respond to it. Throughout our lifetime, we will be exposed to different circumstances (sometimes accidents like this or worse). It is my hope that in those situations we still find the courage and disposition to look for things to be grateful for... and smile.

PS: If we get into an accident, and suddenly we’re in the ambulance or emergency room, who are the people we will call or inform first? And why are we not spending more time with them?

For more content:

Facebook page: https://cutt.ly/0e6vDrJ

Youtube channel: https://cutt.ly/je6bwU4

Website: https://cutt.ly/8t4l04j

#pinoymoneyplanner #reflections #rodbarit