Sometimes it can be really challenging to find JOY. Like when you are in the hospital. That was me, a few weeks ago, because of an infection I developed following my recent surgery. Three nights of IV antibiotics later, I am home. Being home is certainly a great source of joy.
A hospital is uncomfortable. The lumpy bed. The lights. The sounds. The crummy TV. The not-so-great food. And the constant – constant – interruptions for “vitals”, IV bag changes, blood draws, and doctor visits.
I tried to find joy while I was there. There is the obvious joy that there are people who are trying, it turns out successfully, to make me healthy. And the joy that insurance will pay for it. And there is the joy that the people who take care of me are, without fail, really nice people.
I remembered a friend of mine whose husband was dying in the hospital. She said he made a point of thanking every single person who helped him during his stay. That seemed to bring both of them joy, so I decided to try it.
I thanked the nurses who cleaned me up after I became violently ill (a reaction to the antibiotic which I will not describe here). I thanked the cleaning person who cleaned the floor. I thanked my nurses everyday for the good work they did. I thanked the person who delivered the meals, the people who stabbed me with the needles, the doctors who visited me. I tried to add in compliments, like, “That barely hurt at all!” to the IV specialist, and a few apologies to people like the nurse who had to bear the brunt of my sudden illness.
Expressing gratitude does bring JOY. Joy to the receiver, but also to the giver. It seemed the best I could do in this most un-joyful of circumstances. It’s the best I should do in all circumstances.
So, I am home. I feel good. And it is almost Christmas, that most joyful of holidays.
Merry Christmas. And here’s to a happy new year, filled with good health – for each and every one of us.