Integritus Prime

Recently, an unexpected turn of events led me to be hospitalized for a few days. At the end of this experience I realized how grateful I am for the all the happenings that took place, all the beautiful and caring people I have in my life and what this event is trying to teach me.

The gratitude started from the moment I realized that I could not, albeit temporarily, do very basic things for myself.

I am grateful to my daughter for staying calm, doing what needed to be done to secure my safety, for lifting me up when I was down and being with me throughout the ordeal.

I am grateful for the first responding medical practitioner for coming so early in the morning and stabilizing me.

I am grateful to the emergency team and our immediate neighbor and friend for helping transport me safely to the ER.

I am grateful to my daughter, my immediate neighbor and my ‘adopted son’ for visiting me everyday, more than once and bringing me food and other necessities, while I was in the hospital.

I am grateful to my husband for cutting short his holiday overseas, to be with me and to support my daughter who was all alone to witness my scary experience.

I am grateful to the ER team for doing their best with whatever staff and equipment they had available.

I am grateful to the ICU team for keeping constant vigilance of me and for helping my daughter slowly restore my confidence and rid my fears.

I am grateful to the security guard who was kind to my daughter and husband when they visited me in the hospital and offering to carry me down the stairs when the elevator was not working – it was a very sweet offer despite his age.

I am grateful to both my daughter and husband for undertaking the necessary changes in the house to make me feel comfortable, and their continued support on a daily basis for my comfort and recovery after my discharge from the hospital.

I am grateful for my son who took time off from work and left his young family to stay with me for a week.

I am grateful to my niece and nephew for arranging a getaway for a few days for all of us to rest and relax and meet with my grandniece to celebrate her significant birthday together.

I am grateful to my brother and sister-in-law for spending time with us during our getaway.

I am grateful to my grandchildren, children, all extended family members, friends and relatives and everyone, who prayed for me, sent their get-well wishes, get-well cards and gifts.

I am grateful to the Chef at our getaway for preparing special dishes for us.

I am grateful to the universe for slowing me down and making me reflect on my purpose in life and in this world.

Prior to this incident, I was always prioritizing other people before me. Now I practice more diligently  ‘putting the mask on first before helping others’.

Some events in life make you face reality more squarely – this was that incident for me. Now I’m more mindful of everything I do or choose not to do. I’m learning to respect my body more and taking better care of my body, mind and spirit. I am more mindfully interacting with loved ones, family and friends.

I know that I cannot be there for other people if I’m not there for myself first. Like the saying goes – you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Share with us if you’ve experienced a life-changing event, and how it changed your perspective and behavior.

This blog is penned by Alchemus Prime’s intrepid Wellness Advisor, Dr. Margaret Cornelius.