Patterns

I often wonder what lesson the Universe is driving home to me when things around me happen in multiples.  I guess that, like some of the ancients, if something seems to be happening around me a lot, I see that as an omen - a sign from the Powers That Be that I need to pay attention to something. 

 

In my current situation, I have had three people at my work become very ill in the last couple of weeks.  One person has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, one has suffered a TIA and the last went home today looking more like a ghost than human being.  Rumors are buzzing about his health status all over the floor. 

 

Of course, this could all be a giant coincidence but I am not a big believer in coicidences.  Given my own health issues, which seem to be going through a cycle of exacerbation, I am considering what lesson I am to learn from all this, what it is that I am supposed to pay attention to? 

 

The logical first thought is that I need to pay attention to my health.  While I seem to be having a "flare" these days, in general, I am doing most of what I can to work with my physical body.  I have improved my diet, lost almost 40 pounds, developed a regular exercise routine and worked out an ongoing course of acupuncture. 

 

If not my health, then what? Certainly, since at least two of the diseases around me are life threatening to a greater or lesser extent, the situation could be a message to look at my life in view of my own mortality.  I would "buy into" this idea more if I were not coming from a period of deep introspection where I made some choices about what I want to do and where I want to go in the next few years. 

 

In the end, I think that I have to consider that this is a lesson in how to react to the bumps in life's road.  I was considering how each of the people above reacted to their illness.  The reactions ranged from positive attitude and determination to depression, confusion and resignation.  I have been working a lot with developing a more positive, relaxed attitude toward life and it seems to me that the people around me are mirroring that, showing me the difference that attitude can make in the most critical situation. 

 

I wish all my co-workers well and send positive thoughts for their speedy recovery.