The Magic of Ordinary Days

In my never-ending quest for evening entertainment, I stumbled across a made for TV movie on the Hallmark Channel called The Magic of Ordinary Days. I seem to be drawn to these sappy, low-budget, and sometimes painfully cheesy movies. I am also a well known fanatic of Lifetime. I am fairly certain that one thing I will require in a spouse is their ability to tolerate Lifetime television. This particular movie starred Keri Russell, who I love! Anyone else remember the days of Felicity? I was sure that I was going to be just like Felicity when I went to college, minus chronicling my daily events on a tape recorder. For a brief period, I desperately envied her curly hair and the wardrobe that I assumed must be necessary to meet cute college boys. Even Keri Russell can't disappoint in a cheesy movie dressed as a woman living on the prairie in the 1940's. I was struck more by the movie's title, the magic of ordinary days. I can say that I have struggled this past week to find magic in days that while ordinary, have been trying.

I received some discouraging news related to my health this week that will impact my future and may force me to make some very difficult decisions related to my current career. Thankfully, my medical condition is not life threatening and I am able to continue doing the things that I feel well enough to do. For that, I am eternally grateful as I know so many who can't say the same. However, I must tell you that I am saddened by the fact that my life will be altered to some extent, and may play out in a way that I had not expected. But isn't that the way life goes? Shouldn't I just pick myself up by my bootstraps, put a smile on my face, and count the many blessings that still do exist? Don't I teach patients and families to focus on the positive and overcome the negative? Why should I be allowed to have a pity party for myself? I can't decide if it's a blessing or a curse to be a healthcare professional facing chronic illness. I know all of the medical lingo, I'm familiar with most of the medications prescribed, and I especially understand the meaning behind a doctor's sympathetic smile followed by a cheerful, "Let's just see how you do!" On the other hand, I know the ramifications of a chronic health condition and the toll it can take on a patient, their family, friends, and co-workers. I watch those emotions play out every time I walk through the doors of a hospital. I thought I was supposed to be the teacher, the leader, the example of hope and positive coping?

I suppose this week, I'm in a sense saddened by the loss of what could have been, a very different conversation with an exact remedy, a bandage or a prescription. I'm saddened by the possibility that I won't be able to continue doing what it is I believe that I was put on this earth to do. I'm saddened that my reality and perception of what my future holds may have to be altered. I'm saddened that my future holds many more conversations with doctors. Despite the sadness which I'm sure will fade with time, I will choose to find magic in ordinary days. However difficult it may be, and however many times I need to remind myself, I will choose to believe that the plan for my life is far greater than what I have imagined for myself. I will continue to choose to do the things I love to do, even if they have to be modified. I will also choose to never allow myself or my life to be defined by test results, labwork, and prescriptions. I will choose to find meaning in wherever my life takes me. I will also choose to take life one day at a time, and to maintain hope that I can find joy in a path different than one I had imagined. And when I return to work, in whatever capacity, I will choose to have a deeper understanding and connection to my patients.

One of the highlights of my week was being able to book a flight home for Easter! I can hardly wait to be at home surrounded by my family members and bask in the SC weather, which I'm sure by then will feel like July. I also love Easter baskets, which still remains an upheld tradition in our household. There's not much better than a bakset full of sugar first thing in the morning. Even better, I had finally earned enough miles through my airline reward travel program to warrant a FREE round-trip flight! For those of you who know me well, saving money and coupons make my heart sing. I won't coupon to the extreme, no binders basements full of stockpiles of dish soap, but I am a bargain hunter. Getting an absolutely free round-trip ticket is the bargain hunter's jackpot. I'm also pretty sure that this bumps me from being in the very last boarding zone at the airport. So, thank you airline company, for allowing me to save the money I would have spent on a trip home and use it for a mini-vacation. I think the final verdict will be St. Louis sometime this summer. I have some family and friends in the area and it seems like there is a lot to do. I think an escape is just what I need!

To my blog followers: For this week, I challenge you to find the magic in an ordinary day. I hope that even on an ordinary day, you are fulfilled with what you do and the people you share your life with. If you are a religious or spiritual person, I hope that you find moments in the day to pray or reflect. If not, I hope you find peace in doing ordinary things. I also hope that you never take for granted your ability to do those ordinary things, even when they become tedious, challenging, and frustrating. Enjoy the unseasonably beautiful Spring weather and extra daylight that has lifted my spirit this week! Borrowed from someone who turned the ordinary into extraordinary, "Blessings to all you love in this world."