On the 200th day of living with flair, I notice my one little finger joint has been hurting me for over a week. In fact, the arthritic finger joint has changed the way I hold my hand when I type, grade papers, and perform everyday tasks.
This morning, not just the finger hurts. The elbow too. And now the neck. Now the back. Now I think I’m walking differently.
I call the doctor.
It amazes me that a small pain in one finger joint could upset the balance of the whole body. It changed how I moved. The interconnectedness of my body challenges me to not ignore the cascading effect of one negative thing. I ignored the one ailment, and look at the reverberation through my whole body!
Not a fun way to celebrate living with flair. But then, I spin the story. I’m looking in the bathroom mirror this morning and deeply considering the verb, “reverberate.” A small thing–a stone thrown in a lake–circles out until the whole lake feels it and knows it. I visualize a cascading waterfall. If an ailment can upset the balance, then maybe a positive thing, full of flair, can reverberate as powerfully.
What small thing might I do that could reverberate with a positive effect throughout this whole day?
Drinking a glass of water? Taking a deep breath? Giving a hug to a family member? Maybe my days fall off kilter, not because of a monumental problem, but because of a small thing (as small as a finger joint) that sets the day in motion. As I think about regulating mood, connecting with God, and living with flair, I can’t ignore the power of one simple act that reverberates and cascades down through the day.
I start small. I drink a glass of water. I hydrate. Who knows what I set in motion by that one choice? I can’t know for sure, but for some reason, my joints start to feel better.
Living with flair means I see the cascading effect of small choices.
(Photo “A Cascading Waterfall, Flanked by Flowers,” courtesy of Edo / Picassa Web / Creative Commons)
0 Responses
Like that idea – one small thing cascading, reverberating. Helps to not need to do something monumental but simply, graciously, small, lovely, helpful, positive…have a wonderful weekend!
I know for sure that other people have, by one small act or word or smile, changed my day for the better. I need to remind myself that I can do that for other people, and even for myself. That is a powerful ability. Wonderful insight from you, as usual.