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A few weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, as I was doing my usual weekend chores, I heard my husband call my name with a degree of urgency. I quickly dropped what I was doing and went in the direction his voice. He simply stated with a quivering voice “I’ve cut my fingers.” Knowing that he had been working with power tools, I questioned, “hospital?” The answer was undeniably “Yes”. On the way the to hospital, my mind raced in a thousand different directions. I worried about the extent of the injury, how much pain he was in, how to get to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible… At a stop sign I noticed he was humming to the music on the radio. When I asked if this was just a distraction, he said no, it was just a tune that caught his attention. He said he was not in pain, that immediately upon cutting his fingers, they went numb. What he didn’t say, but knowing him as I do, I believe he wasn’t frantic or overwrought because he realized there was absolutely nothing he could do at that point. I was driving him and we were going to where there were experts that would know what to do. Besides, although serious, this was not life threatening.
In addition to Rodney’s positive way of dealing with life, we have felt uplifted by the prayers and kind words of encouragement from friends and family. We both believe that faith, which is part of a positive of attitude, has been a major force in the rapid healing that has taken place. Rodney will be able to play guitar again. In fact, when I first started writing, I heard him playing, although the bandages were getting in the way a little. The doctors and physical therapists are amazed at how far along he is in the recovery process. The mind is a very powerful tool. Rodney has used it well in facilitating his own healing. What about you? How are you using the most powerful tool you have? Make it a point to notice your thoughts in any given situation. Are they positive, beneficial, and helpful or negative, destructive, and harmful? Some people enjoy keeping a gratitude journal, noting the positive or beautiful things they experience daily. They say it helps them stay focused on the positive and notice the little things they may have otherwise just taken for granted, like fingers. |
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In
the ER, Rodney shared that his first thought when he cut his fingers
was that he might not be able to play the guitar again. Tears came
to my eyes because I know the enjoyment he gets out of playing. Before
we had the input from the orthopedic surgeon, Rodney was remaining
hopeful, but practical. He commented, “If I can’t play
a guitar, I will learn to play a steel guitar or a dobro. I will keep
playing music.” He also commented that he felt that whatever
cards he were dealt in life, he would make the most of them.
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