Suddenly, I’m Thirsty!

It is a guarantee that all of us have now had the experience wherein you want most what you cannot have.  Take for example, when you have lab testing to complete and you are told not to drink or eat after a certain time, usually midnight.  At 11:59 p.m. you find yourself in the kitchen savouring that last sip of allowable water or maybe even a quick bite of something or other and then at 12:00 a.m., you are automatically thirsty.  Instantaneously, it feels as though you haven’t had any of the clear stuff for hours and hours.  At precisely 12:01 a.m., all that you can focus on is how good water would taste & how refreshing it would be, even though it’s really just tasteless and you might even otherwise dislike it.  I mean, I’ve gone the whole day at work having hardly had a drop of H2O knowing full well that I had better force myself to take some in throughout the evening.  Yet, as in the case above, I find myself in a situation where I cannot have any, and then suddenly, it’s all that I want.  Funny how that works, eh?

Once again, as I’ve said before, our minds are very powerful instruments.  There are many quotes out there similar to the one above which essentially state, “That which you focus on becomes the focus.”  As I mull over a few of my own things these days and deal with all of the COVID-19 restrictions that are in place, there are times when all that I can think about are the things that I can no longer do or have.

I really miss being able to spend quality time with my family and friends, as I’m sure all of you do.  That one is first and foremost!  I also long to wander around the stores leisurely, as shopping was a favourite past time of mine; heck, I am the one who doesn’t even normally mind going up and down ALL of the grocery aisles looking for deals or new products that we might like to try.  I definitely miss travelling.  A little over a month ago, my husband and I should have been in Vegas for one of our all-time favourite quick and fun getaways; that trip was supposed to be my proverbial post-surgery carrot.  Normally right about now, we would also be planning our next trip to Hawaii contemplating which island to go, which place to stay at with the best oceanfront lanai, what things we would like to do while there–shops, restaurants, popular sights, and the like.  Just talking about it makes me salivate much like my water example from earlier.  And now, in light of all things coronavirus-related, we might not even be able to go to our local campgrounds this summer to take in another one of our treasured past times.  “Like where/when does it stop already?!” I find myself asking, yet I know the answer is unknown, which is probably even more bothersome.  There are no more restaurant trips to be had even though we didn’t go out a lot to begin with; while there are pick-up and take-out options, we can’t help but worry how ‘safe’ they are, so that is pretty much non-existent for us.  On and on goes the list.

Logically, I know that the more that I think about the things that I miss, the more I miss them, so I try not to go there, but sometimes I can’t help it.  Whenever I get stuck, I do my best to focus on the things that I am most grateful for instead, which at the moment is that those whom we know are safe and healthy; in saying that, I then feel guilty about those who have suffered or who are suffering, including those who have already passed away.  This whole thing is sad and terrifying and somewhat surreal still.  I mean, yikes!

However, as per my quote today, I will continue to regroup myself and move forward with what I CAN do.  We all have to.  We really have no choice since we are clearly in it for the long haul.  We don’t have to like it necessarily, but we do have to adjust and adapt and in the overall scheme of things, what we are dealing with over here in Canada at least are mostly inconveniences really.  The fact of the matter is that other people around the world don’t even have clean water or food or shelter and never have, let alone any form of medical help or protection from this virus, so I best keep my priorities straight.  If anything, maybe this whole thing gives those of us who are privileged in life, a little bit more of a perspective on things; a chance to reflect on how good we really have it despite what we might presently think.

I don’t know about you, but all of this talking and thinking aloud is making me thirsty.  Really thirsty!  Since I have no lab work to complete, I am going to sign off for now and indulge in a big, juicy bottle of water.  This time, I will revel in the satisfying hydration that it provides for my body and mind and indulge in it all day long, even after midnight if I like, because I can have as much of it as I want and for that, I will choose to be thankful.  :-).

 

 

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