In the grand scheme of things, I’m not that bad off.
When you think about suffering, there are many degrees. There’s having your house burn down around you (that’s really suffering), and then there’s sitting in your living room and being hot but the fan is aaall the way over on the other side of the room (that’s also suffering, but to the 1/1,000,000th degree).
Do I feel empathy for both of those people? Sure. In about the same degrees in which they’re suffering.
I try not to complain about my personal challenges because I have it relatively good.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel sympathy for those who have it even easier than I do.
Because a struggle is a struggle. And you never know where someone else’s breaking point lies.
Right now I’m in my own living room, drinking a beer, the dog sleeping beside me. I finished work for the day at 1am, and I feel good about what I accomplished, even though I didn’t complete what I set out to for the day.
I’m grateful for all the well wishes for my MRI–I should get the results this week coming.
For now, my eyesight is good. And there’s no rain in the forecast–the barometer is holding steady, which is likely why I can see.
Now, it’s almost 2am, and I still have writing of my own to do.
With that, I’m signing off.
This post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Click the following link to find all the other prepositional posts and join in. It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2019/08/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-24-19/

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/
August 26, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Well said! And good luck for the results – fingers and toes crossed. Good thing my hair is a mess – thousands of them in crosses.
There is a nip in the air now. Few more weeks until fall descends. Make the most of this 🙂
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August 26, 2019 at 11:51 am
well said Linda! Everyone has a breaking point and some reach it sooner than others, that’s for sure! I wish you good luck for the MRI results, I hope they’ll be good!
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August 25, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Linda, SoCS is never finished for me until I read your post. Our attitude about our lives and appreciating the little things sees us through the more challenging times. I send you good thoughts for more beer and dog days and fewer stressful days. Hopefully the results are just around the corner and you will have the knowledge necessary for next steps. Have a great Sunday.
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August 25, 2019 at 11:23 pm
Thanks so much, Maggie. It’s lovely to know you look forward to my posts. 🙂 Hope you had a lovely Sunday. ❤
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August 25, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Amen, Sistah, to the realities of suffering-is-suffering and to the realities of empathy AND one’s ability to manage what they are faced with: some suffering more lingering than others, some more life-altering, some more transient but no less task-stopping.
BTW, I can relate to the barometric eyes … and body in general … but if we’re talking eyes, my left one tends to go on partial or total strike when there’s a migraine around, which is often triggered by all manner of things, barometric changes being one of MM’s favorite (MM = Mimmie Migraine, my nickname to what lives in the upper left quadrant of my noggin and wakes up occasionally to poke havoc into my to-dos).
Holding steady is a good thing generally, me thinks.
I hope suffering remains minimal … and my thoughts with all who are suffering today, on whatever level and in volume and duration and form.
Suffering is part of the human condition, but it don’t mean it is one iota more lovely to endure it …
Had my share, and so, I hear ya!
XO
Na’ama
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August 25, 2019 at 11:22 pm
Thanks, Na’ama. Such a bother when the weather (and whatever else triggers migraines) affects the to-do list, isn’t it? Wishing you all the best too. 🙂
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August 26, 2019 at 9:17 am
Thanks, Linda. Yes, life is life is life, and there are some snags in it. Hopefully less snags than progress! 😉
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August 25, 2019 at 10:36 am
Nothing like a beer and dog companion. Best wishes on the MRI.
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August 25, 2019 at 11:19 pm
Thank you, John. 🙂
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August 25, 2019 at 9:48 am
Sitting, having a beer with your dog beside you…it doesn’t get much better. Your point about not knowing where someone’s breaking point lies is a very good point, and hard to remember. That influences so many things. I hope the MRI results are helpful.
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August 25, 2019 at 11:18 pm
Thanks, Dan. 🙂
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August 25, 2019 at 8:59 am
You’re right, one does and should feel empathy for those whose struggles are less than ours. I hope that the MRI results are okay too.
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August 25, 2019 at 11:18 pm
Thanks, Sadje. ❤ 🙂
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August 26, 2019 at 12:49 am
You’re welcome 😊
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August 25, 2019 at 7:41 am
Here hoping things stay on an even keel and that the results of the MRI are good and helpful.💜💜
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August 25, 2019 at 11:18 pm
Thank you, Willow. ❤ 🙂
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August 26, 2019 at 3:55 am
Hugs 💜💜
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