Relative Something

If it was Saturday morning and you had nothing to do and nothing to worry about, even though there are lethal conflicts being waged, and typhoon floods dislodging entire communities, and contagious viruses being spread, and fearful, angry people cultivating discord, you may as well get on with your day and not worry about any of it.

It is strange to live my life in isolation from so many of the world’s ills and carry on as if nothing is amiss, but for me, to acknowledge what is wrong all the time, well… just the thought of it is paralyzing. Conversely, I could equally consider all the health and happiness that surrounds us. How come I have traveled safely on our highways as long as I have? Every day that I survive unharmed, there are any number of benefits bestowed on me. I have equal chance of becoming a victim as anyone else on the road.

Friday morning at my indoor soccer games I experienced a small dose of harm that will serve to balance the great many days I play without any ill effects. I kicked at the ball in close quarters with an opponent and all I connected with was a planted foot that stopped my toes hard, inducing more pain than I’ve experienced in a long, long time.

“Doc, it hurts when I do that.”

I’m not quite sure which toe took the worst of it, but my big toe and its immediate neighbor on the right are on limited duty for a while. Now as I walk, I get a little reminder with every step, of how much work toes actually contribute to the effort of a stride.

And today I am going to practice some additional appreciation for the relative ease I enjoy in my current situation compared to so many who are enduring much more grave concerns.