A long and winding road
If you have been following my blog, you will know that I suffered through some compression fractures of my spine in December and February. Both were caused by something as simple as moving the snowblower in my garage. Little did I know that I have osteoporosis of the spine.
As time went on, so did the pain level. March was a blur of at times intense pain and heavy-duty meds. Although I am much better now, my movements will be limited for the rest of the year. I am walking about a mile or so each day, finally, but I have very little strength in my back. I can’t even carry a camera yet! Physical therapy is helping me increase my strength, but it is a very slow process.
As a result of all of this, I have been away from art, website, social media since the beginning of March till now. I’ve had no desire or inspiration.
So, the question is, how do I recover my “mojo”? How do I rekindle my passion in the midst of pain meds that sap my concentration and drain my ambition?
I know. My meager misfortune is nothing compared to what a lot of handicapped people have been living with daily for years. In the scheme of things, my situation could be far worse. I am faced with a unique challenge and opportunity to grow in character and rise above.
If you are reading this and have had your own medical struggles, please leave me a comment outlining what you did to overcome your situation, how it impacted your art, and what you did to keep your art on track with your goals. This might help me.
As time goes by, it should be interesting to read here how I re-power my determination, re-kindle my passion, and evolve my art.
I hope to “get by with a little help from my friends”…
Thanks, Frank, for the kind words of encouragement. So sorry to hear about your wife. I wish you both the best and the strength to endure.
Jerry – so sorry for your setback. Some things are roadblocks – others speed-bumps. Sounds like you are viewing things in the second category which is a good thing. Give your body time to heal and figure itself out. I just bought a Fujifilm X Pro1 – a whole lot of camera in a modest footprint. Picture quality rivals that of heavier full frame dslr. Over past year I had set back of a different sort – struggling with serious illness of my wife. Wish it was me and not her. Life eventually throws us curves. I am daily processing not just art and career but some very large questions. At times like this we need to use the widest angle to see the big picture. We enjoy all the good days and endure the not so good with courage, sensitivity and intelligence with regard to treatment. Just some thoughts that came to mind. Wish you well!
Thanks for the support, Jer!
Thanks, Mike!
Go Jerry! Just your desire to get back into the action is half the battle. Try reading Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” or if you’ve already read it, read it again. Climbing back from the brink of desperation, you can find deeper vigor and inspiration than you could imagine before this happened. I know there is an element of faith, here, but what’s life without a little faith? Jerry
You know my story, one year anniversary this Sunday. Your quote from the famous Beatles tune, is the answer, it was for me. I am available for hikes and I’ll carry the camera for you.
Thanks, Bev, for the kind words!
Hi Jerry! Ugh! awful that you have to go through this. They do say that you get recharged with inspiration. I hope your very personal journal is in place. I hope that you are using time to read and review philosophical works from others of the past.. I hope that you can get into meditating (it so helps).. Ahhhh just you watch you will come out of this a wiser and stronger person!
Always the best to you, Beverly