In A Fishbowl!: Update . . . of sorts. Ha. =D

Hey everyone! I have a quick, non-exciting update of my ankle progress. My incision has healed up pretty good and the beginning of the aquatic therapy phase seems to be just around the corner. [Knock on wood! Ha] I spoke today with another foot/ankle specialist that has been following my case and he too said it would be at least another 6 months before I have decent strength and would be able to be mobile as usual. So that kind of solidified the long road ahead of me! Ha. Just what I wanted to hear. Seriously though it will be a great opportunity to learn what there is in store for me.
The last little bit I have been thinking a lot about trials and our perception of the positions we so often find ourselves. Many of us, myself included, will periodically find ourselves wondering why it seems that everything always happens to us. Whether it is physical challenges or financial and social challenges; whether it is challenges with relationships with friends or friends period, at times it seems that we may always be the one getting the short end of the stick. One of the most often asked questions is why me? Why do I have to endure all of this. Why doesn't Johnny down the street ever have to go through anything. Everyone naturally thinks this in points of trial when comparisons arise. A short bit ago I caught myself comparing my situations to others. It gave me an opportunity to pause and reflect. I remembered a quote from President Boyd K. Packer: "Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of old age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect”. We are all tried and tested according to our capabilities, situations, and character. The trial is not what separates us from others, it is our reaction. An idea that has been so lost and construed. When we face trials or difficult situations each and every one of us has a choice. We can choose to wallow or to rise. I have chosen to rise. We can choose to be the victim or learn from the experience. I choose to learn.
I also was able to reflect a lot on the humanitarian work I have done in the Republic of Georgia. Those kids have about as close to nothing as possible. They have one "outfit", consisting of mismatched clothing that is far older than they are. Those who do have shoes often squeeze their feet into shoes far too small. When they are fed, it is not what we would consider a meal. The first orphanage I went to had one "basketball hoop" as one of their few recreational opportunities. That basketball hoop was a lawn chair nailed to a tree with the seat removed to make the hoop. Temporally, they have nothing. Despite that, they are far happier than any other children I have ever known or seen, myself included. They have the perspective I seek. We are all tested and tried differently. That means we all have an opportunity to overcome our trials. Those orphans are such an example to me, fifteen years my younger, of how to approach situations that seem difficult. I challenge you all to do the same! Choose to rise! Choose to learn. Ultimately, choose to be happy!

Just some pictures from the orphanages to remind me of the orphans' examples.