A beautiful Sunday afternoon.....
blue skies.... birds singing...and sun shining!
We decided to head to the beach....
and get some sea air...
It seemed like a lot of other people
had been thinking the same!
The car parks were so full
that it was difficult to find a space...
People were walking....
wind surfing...
even with the tankers in the distance it looked idyllic!!
I love the reflection on this photo!
The wind seemed to be coming
in a different direction from the tide
and I could see some surfers
having a job to control their sails....
Whilst others
were using the wind and waves
to their advantage
It made me think...
last week I saw the Respiratory Consultant....
My name was, now,
at the top of the list for the final back surgery....
I was told to ask the consultant, when I saw her,
for permission
to have the surgery and she said, "No",
that it could be dangerous....
with the state of my chest...
after the virus that caused me to be in hospital
over Christmas
I spent several days
in despondency.....seeing my vision of myself...
(able to spend the summer as I used to...
walking...gardening...generally out
and enjoying myself...)
crumbling to dust and ashes at my feet!!
I asked one of the surfers,
as he was packing to go home,
whether the direction of the wind against the waves had spoilt his planned day of surfing.
He said 'No' that it was exciting and a challenge
trying to accept the conditions as they were and use them to make the experience even better!!
It made me think...
how can I accept this new set back
and look at things differently
so that I can make the most of this time and place..
In other words...
instead of getting depressed over something that is out of my control
I need to accept it and move on....
life is too short to spend it sitting around complaining
Somebody wise once wrote...
"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things that I can
and the wisdom to know the difference"
I know that these words are used all over the place, including AA meetings, but I can use it as well!!
and so can you!!
If life seems to be falling apart around you
and things.....
out of your control...
are causing disappointment and hurt...
perhaps this might help you as it is helping me....
It is good to see a post from you Joan. I am glad you have a positive attitude. You will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Beth
I'm so sorry that you have to wait longer, but how wonderful the words were that you heard right when you needed to hear them. With a positive attitude, much can be overcome. I will be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Waiting longer maybe the perfect thing. Your chances of complications are less, your recovery time might be much faster. I think that your body will be ready, soon, just be open and positive and the right thing will happen.
ReplyDeleteSending you a hug,
Meredith
Beautiful photos, reflections, wisdom as you have had to move through this recent "set back." . . . Hold on to HOPE . . . and I will too, and hopefully soon you will be ready for the final surgery . . . I am caring . . . about YOU!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right,and by posting this today you reminded me that this is what I must do as well...i will have you in m thoughts an when you go to the beach rug up so you do not get that chesty bit back..
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear of all of this, but you have a wonderful attitude! I have been confined to a wheelchair when we have much walking to do...like in a huge store or in a Botanical Garden. This only in the last two years.But I think of my friends who are undergoing chemo, and whose cancer returns...it does not seem so bad. Are you having pain? Your lesson here is wonderful!!! And I love the horse and rider on the shore and the surfers and their beautiful reflections.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say that I do not know the details of your back...but here they are finding that surgery does no good after five years, both surgery and no surgery patients were the same after five years. I know some people who had surgery and are worse off than before.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good saying and we all need to memorize it and recite it in our heads daily. Hang in there, it's all going to work out. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Joan good to read your post although wish that your news re anticipated surgery had been what you wanted. However things happen for a reason and the delay may prove to be a blessing in disguise. I remember those word you quoted. They were given to be my a member of what was the Special Needs Support Team when I first became a Special Needs Coordinator.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are beautiful. DH is anxious to book us a week away and the thought of the sea and Wales is a good one. I must sort out the dates we are free to go. Take care and hope you can stay positive. Anne x
I am so happy you took us to the sea today. That sight ...and those words...are just what we needed.
ReplyDeleteChallenges re VERY good things.
I will have to listen to your words and repeat them over and over. I need to hear and believe right now. Thank you for posting today. Courage.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Hi Joan. Lovely photos of a Sunday out by the beach. I can imagine how disappointed you must have been at not being to have your back operation at the moment, but well done for your positive attitude. As you say, life is much too short for sitting and whinging. I pray for your continued recovery.
ReplyDeleteAaah, Joan, sorry about your bad news. But finding the peace in accepting what you can't change is a beautiful lesson for all of us. The poem - an Irish Blessing - always one of my very favorites and wise and comforting words. You do know that everything happens in it's own time and reason, so continue to hope that all will turn out as it should and with a positive outcome. You may not be able to get around as much as you would like, but you still have eyes to see beauty, ears to hear words of love and wisdom, and a heart to share with all of us. I wish you peace and love. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Joan, I am sorry to hear of your disappointment at delay in your surgery. It is much better to be safe and wait until you are fitter. You do have a great attitude to it though.
ReplyDeleteYour beach shots are wonderful, I love the sea spray coming off those waves.
Take care,
Ellie
Amen, Joan- You got it, girl! I can feel how awful that final news must have been. But, your lungs/chest will heal and you will, once again, move to the top of the list and have the surgery. One more summer to sit and enjoy as best you can....as hard as that might be. Sending you love and prayers-xo Diana
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is so difficult to swallow what life gives us. Gorgeous photos of the beach. I hope you have a lovely evening.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are really beautiful my friend. I know how inspiring it is to visit the sea and breathe the air. I sure hope you felt encouraged. Sweet hugs my friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place! Wonderful photos! I'm sending you hugs and smiles! Nellie
ReplyDeleteOh my sweet Joan. My heart goes out to you. I think this is a case of "when a door closes, a window opens". Just look for your window and things will turn out better than you could ever dream.
ReplyDeleteYou're in my prayers.
xox
Hello Joan. Was very happy to see your posts. Your horse reflection shot is magnificent. And the breakfast red sky shots? Incredible!
ReplyDeleteKeep thinking positively. There is such a huge mind-body connection.
I wish you the very best. Susan
Joan, as always, you have devised a way to turn disappointment into something more positive and to show others that it can be done. I am sure that in time, your time will come too for the back surgery.
ReplyDeleteI love your positive way of looking at life great photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's like the saying "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger." I agree, instead of wasting time moping about what you can't do, concentrate instead on what you can!
ReplyDeleteWise Words indeed, thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteIs that Newgale beach?
Beautiful photos. And I feel for you Joan. How hard it must be for you to learn to accept your fate, and move forward. I pray you can....you are such a lovely person, with so much to offer!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Such wise words of wisdom. This set back must be hard.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers.
All of your photos are fantastic. It does look like a truly beautiful day!
Hello Joan, that young surfer certainly had the right attitude - use the conditions to advantage. Keep thinking along those positive lines and know we're here supporting you.
ReplyDeleteYour photo's are lovely, a walk along the beach can be very therapeutic, can't it?
blessings,
Diana
Oh Joan I am so very sorry I know how you just wanted to get on with your life the way you usually do. I love the way you turned this around to a positive post about changes we have no control over. I found out some news myself that changed things for me and it is all about attitude. Great attitude and amazing photos.
ReplyDeleteEverything will work out Joan "everything for a reason" we have to hold on to that and believe it will all work out for the best in the end. HUGS Take care keep a stiff upper lip as my Grandpa used to say Yes he was English:)
Hugs B
Beautiful, beautiful photos, and wise words. I'm with you on this. Xxx
ReplyDeleteBless your heart Joan -- it is so easy to get down in the dumps over life's disappointments. I really needed to hear your words today. And your images are simply uplifting. xo
ReplyDeleteGreat post Joan :-) Just wanted to let you know too that your prize is now winging it's way over to you and should be with you soon! Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope to see you again soon...
ReplyDeletewww.sweetlc.blogspot.ie