Compassionate Acceptance

New Year's Eve morning, I woke with a sore throat. Recalling that I'd forgotten to take an antacid the night before, I chalked it up to an evening of reflux, popped a couple of Gaviscon with my coffee con soy leche, and went on with my day. As is my habit, after my morning coffee, I started a pot of hot herbal tea.

In the afternoon, following a few hours of no liquids because I was running errands, I started experiencing a sore throat of such severity that my eyes were tearing. I was so inflamed that my inner ears and gums even hurt. I returned home as quickly as possible and after gargling repeatedly with hot salt water, and sucking a few Fisherman's Friends, I was able to go to bed and actually sleep -- at least until my throat dried and I woke in pain, again.

Throughout, I REALLY wanted to whine and complain, but kept recalling my intention to accept whatever came to me.

Over the next few days, while this situation blossomed into a raging head cold, there were several times when my DH would do or say something that was REALLY irritating. I bit back several well-chosen, hurtful remarks, knowing I was just cranky and there was that intention looming in front of me.

I'm not perfect. I have whined a bit, and I have given in to my sharp tongue in ways that have not been compassionate, but I have to give myself some compassion, too. I have NOT whined as much as I otherwise might, and I've been more graceful in my compassion than I have in the past.

So, all in all, I am seeing improvement.

BTW, I am also seeing improvement in the cold, too. Praise God.

May I feel this discomfort that others may live more comfortably. May I practice struggling with compassion until compassion becomes my habit. Amen.