Why not is my new mantra.
After experiencing so many physical issues, mine, my husband’s, and even our dog’s, I may swear, but I don’t stomp my feet or indulge in any of the useless self-chatter that makes no one feel better.
A unique pain in my hand. Why not! A sudden pain near my ribs that feels like something’s being wrung out like a wet sheet. Why not! 16 months of health issues and still no diagnosis or cure. Why not! My husband almost faints. Why not! Hip pain whenever my he gets up. Why not! His hands cold as ice, his feet numb. Why not! And before I could even post this, we receive an interesting report on my husband’s MRI, and must wait for answers. Why not!
The question is my way of acknowledging life’s reality that every one of us will face challenges we don’t like. As we age, new challenges occur more often like a swarm of earthquakes. We don’t like any of it, of course, but better to acknowledge and accept life’s realities, make a joke, laugh, and then go on living your day.
My first lesson on the random unfairness of life arrived when I was young. What preteen wouldn’t think life’s unfair when no one else in the entire school has a dead father? Why me, I’d brood. Why was I selected for this lesson plan? I never received a helpful answer that made sense. I learned too young that life had random rules I’d never understand, and fairness was not part of the equation.
Life is not about fairness. Life is about finding an attitude that works and supports us when things happen. But when someone we know is struggling, they don’t want to be challenged to find meaning or make the best of it. Everyone wants to be heard.
After years of struggling to understand and make sense of this life of ours, one day when something happened I heard myself say why not me? No one gets through this life without something. I’ve seen all the people I once thought had perfect lives hit hard with unimaginable heartache. If you’re alive, things will happen. If you live long enough, many things you deal with come from inside your own body. It’s inevitable. Not fun. I’ve heard more than one person say they feel their bodies have betrayed them.
Complaining is its own type of agony. It doesn’t empower us when faced with the many intrinsic challenges of life. While I understand feeling that way, I now make the conscious choice not to go there. Saying, Why not! with a light tone of voice, a smile, and sometimes a shrug, helps me move through the moments of my day without adding too much mental anguish as a side dish to the physical pains and indignities.
Why not works for me. Give it a try and maybe it will work for you. I hope so.
Let me know.
Yes why not me? Works well! Thanks
Really helpful...thanks for sharing..
Leslue