Sickness is not the antithesis of health. Sickness is a part of life; a reminder that we are mortal. If you exercise, eat healthy, refrain from smoking and excessive drinking, and get adequate sleep, you are building your army of ammo against illness, but you will not win every battle. I share this wisdom with you while plopped on the couch in a grey sweatsuit with a thermometer in my mouth. I’m sick. My mind and body have been at odds for the last day or so. My mind has said: ‘sickness? Ha! Talk to the hand.’ My body has said: ‘I need rest. Quit exercising. PLEASE quit exercising. LISTEN TO ME!’ After a well fought battle on both sides, mind finally raised the white flag to body and surrendered. I don’t like being plopped here like a bump on a log, feeling like every white blood cell in my body has gone rancid, but you know what- it’s a bit of a relief to be okay with not being okay. I’m sick, and I’m down with that.
The timing is interesting. The day I get sick is the same day my mom recovers. After early detection of breast cancer, she has persevered for the past five and a half weeks through radiation therapy. Today is her last day of treatment. My eyes well up with tears and my heart explodes with joy as I rejoice in her recovery. My mom is the healthiest person I know… and she’s been sick. Healthy people get sick. Sickness is especially meaningful to people who lead healthy lifestyles, because it makes us all the more grateful for our body’s resilience. What a blessing that our mortal, imperfect bodies have the ability to run marathons, swing kettlebells, get sick, and bounce back.