#3: If I don't laugh, I'll cry
Do you realize we’re floating in space?
After starting off the year with a string of social events, I got hit with the flu and it sucked.
Thankfully, I’m finally feeling better after spending most of this week stuck in bed. The experience of getting sick is never pleasant—my flu was of the throat burning, head throbbing, can’t-stand-to-look-at-screens-too-long-or-my-eyes-hurt variety. Not much you can do really but rest—just exist, and try not to think too hard.
I think I come across as an optimist (especially in my writing or my social personality), so while I was staring at my ceiling I was really trying to extract with some deeper meaning to make this experience somehow valuable or teachable when it hit me—sometimes, there is no deeper meaning and not every moment needs to be lighthearted. Some days are just strange, and that’s that!
You know the saying, people make plans and God laughs? That’s exactly what was running through my mind around Wednesday night, when my fever was still peaking and I realized I probably wasn’t going to be able to meet any of the plans I made for the rest of the workweek. The funny thing was, the moment I surrendered to Just Being Sick was the moment I literally started to feel 1% better. (???) When I gave myself permission to give zero fucks about the outside world and just focus on my body healing, I actually started feeling my energy come back. Apparently, the world did not fall apart because my to-do list didn’t get fulfilled. How liberating! How freeing! All things truly come to pass.
We all take life a little too seriously sometimes. This modern life is also exceedingly insane and dark on so many levels, that sometimes the best way to cope is really to have a wicked sense of humor. So now, the next time I catch myself or someone dear to me bemoaning the inconveniences of being human, I can politely whip out my new favorite, ironic response—Excuse me, do you realize we’re floating in space? :)
Oh and—next weekend, I’m joining Xavier Art Fest for the first time! Many thanks to Altro Mondo Creative Space for representing my work for this art fair. If you’re able, drop by the gallery’s booth in Xavier School on January 25-26 to check out our works. Admission is free on the public days. Hope to see you there!
xxxx, B
Sushi once told me: “Not everything has to be deep, Ria.” LOL.
Hope you’re recovering well, Bea!