Futurist Jim Carroll"Christmas 2025: It's better to be grateful for what you have gained, instead of focusing on what you've lost."
Normally, at this time of year, I would be busy on a ski hill, seeking the joy that comes from the exuberance of the carve.
I'm not.
Instead, I'm at home, geeking out, learning all kinds of new technology, and taking it easy. Everyone once in a while, I glance at the webcam at my ski club and see those who are in the moment, enjoying their turns. You see, in my part of the world, it's turned into an amazing early ski season.
I'm not part of it.
You see, just about a month ago, I broke some small bones in my spine in a violent fall. It was icy; the concrete stairs at the chalet were covered, and I took a slide right off and landed on my back.
A spinal injury.
The result was that I suffered 3 small fractures of what are called the transverse processes on my spine. I have images. You can see the break on the right.
I have the fall on video; a security webcam caught it. It's hard to watch, and it's hard to think about because I keep replaying the moment in my mind. I think it was when I shared it with the triage nurse at the ER that they decided they should see me right away.
And so right now, I am in the land of the 'if only's.'
If only.
You know. If only I hadn't gone to the chalet that day. If only I hadn't decided to work on a small project outside. If only the steps weren't icy. If only...
It's easy to do the 'if onlys' because it offers a way out.
And yet, it doesn't.
So what's my status? As soon as you hear the word 'spinal,' you freak out - as I did at the ER. The reality, though, is that this is an entirely minor break when it comes to back injuries, and is entirely recoverable.
With time.
And patience.
Which, traditionally, I do not have a lot of.
The path? One to two weeks of hardcore pain (now gone), two to four weeks of being extremely careful (which I am coming to the end of), and three to six months of full recovery (if you do what you are told to do- which is, not much.)
It's fully recoverable - if I follow the guidance, don't rush, things and don't do anything stupid.
Through all of this, I've come to understand the depth of the beautiful guidance that exists in the Serenity Prayer, which I have on hardcore repeat in my mind. "Help me accept the things I cannot change, the courage to accept the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
So what do I have?
Oh, so many things. I am so truly, truly blessed.
Read the full post for more...... the link is below.
And so from the bottom of my heart, and from the depth of my gratitude, I'd like to say, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Futurist Jim Carroll is working hard to be patient, follow the process, not to push things, and not being stupid.
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