Disappointments and perspective


Yesterday afternoon, I took a hike up Dry Canyon near my home. It's a trail I've hiked at least a hundred times, one I visit often for exercise or "escape." But as I struggled up the trail this time, I started to get discouraged. I'm having trouble regaining my hiking ability due to the impact COVID had on my heart and lungs. I was alone, and missing my partner Inca who had been to the groomer, which added to the melancholy.
As I hiked, I switched on an audiobook I've been listening to recently. It's the newly-released personal story of Michael J. Fox, the actor who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 29. He's just a few years younger than I am, so has spent half of his adult life dealing with the increasing impact of this disease (and related complications) that, besides giving him the characteristic tremors, has gradually has stolen his coordination, physical strength, and ability to speak clearly.
It didn't take long to put my little concerns into perspective. I was frustrated, but at least I was hiking! And I had 30 years of hiking memories while Fox had 30 years of struggling with a debilitating nerve disorder. How can you compare those things?
I've had a number of crushing disappointments in my life. Most of us have. We can't make those things disappear; their impact can linger. So how do we cope? How do we go on with our lives when we're faced with tragedy, or loss, or humiliation, or any of the other sometimes devastating experiences of mortality? Well, those are two of the answers. Perspective comes as we recognize that there is always, always, always someone struggling with more than we are. And second, cling to the blessings and the hopes, and the memories of all the good there is in your life - knowing there is more to come. #GiveThanks for today, regardless of what today includes, and keep hoping for tomorrow.

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