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Consider the Cost

Yesterday I woke feeling under par for the third day in a row.   I had changed my plans to go somewhere I really really wanted to go two days in a row already and it was the last day for this particular event.  I thought how much I would regret not attending.  It is an annual event and there wouldn't be another chance for a year.

I had to rethink it.  I did not feel well.  I was coughing, sneezing, and itchy.  The tree outside my door that is dropping pollen like rain has my immune system on full alert.  I also had some pain in my back and hip.  It wasn't bothering me too much but when I considered all the walking I would be doing at the event, I knew I would be aching when I got home.  So, I thought about it and wrote about it.

I started with feeling regret about the car accidents that caused my back and neck injuries over 40 years ago and how if I had only gone to the doctor then and gotten treatment my pains would not be so unending now.  I didn't go then because I had no insurance and I was too concerned with the short-term cost of care.  I never even considered the long-term cost. 

After some self pity and reality acceptance, I realized that the lesson for today is to consider the long-term cost when making decisions.  And I don't just mean money.  I mean the costs to health, emotional stability, happiness, time with loved ones.  There are many costs that are beyond financial.  As a Capitalistic society we tend to consider it first and often only, but there is so much more to life.  I want to get in the habit of looking beyond today in addressing my needs.  And to beware of could have, should have, and would have. 

I rethought my day with that in mind and knew that healthy food, a session of stretching exercises, and resting would be the best way to spend the day for my long term gain and well being. 


I would like to make decisions about my day like that every day.  What are my needs?  What are the ways in which they can be met?  There is always more than one way to meet a need.  I want to consider the long and short-term gains and costs of an action.  I want to accept where I am and then move forward from that point, not the point of origin, because I am not at that point anymore.  I am here. 
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