A Year Into the Journey

A year ago today I broke my leg in the early evening, not realizing it at first, and ended up in an ambulance late that night. The ensuing long hospital stay is described in an earlier post. I've now been home for nearly four months, for about half of which I've been engaged--rather relentlessly--in rehabilitation at a nearby facility. I'll probably discuss that one of these days, but today as I write this in the day care center, the bottom line  is that I'm reasonably sanguine about my chances for eventually being able once more to walk, and drive, and cook, and even return to my desk at the office.

There's considerable distance left on the journey to full (or at least sufficient) recovery, but the effort so far is showing results and I'm committed to continuing until I reach my destination.

I'll admit that it's a bit odd to have the walking part come at the end of the journey, but it's my metaphor and I'll mangle it if I want to.

Diligent, Resourceful, and Smart

I wish all of you a very happy, healthy, exciting, and prosperous Year of the Rat!

In the oriental zodiac, the Rat is the first of the twelve animals;  one common legend says he tricked the Ox into carrying him up to the finish line of the race to visit the Jade Emperor, hopping off at the last moment and crossing the line first. Such clever resourcefulness is attributed to the Rat, as is diligence and thrift, making the Rat a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

I don't really see cunning and diligence as going together especially well or often in the same individual, but neither do I see the two traits as utterly, invariably mutually exclusive. Certainly being quick-witted, adaptable, imaginative, and hard-working could be conducive to material success.

2020 is going to demand a great deal of diligence from me, and probably considerable thrift as well. I shall endeavor to apply the Rat's adaptability to  the tasks ahead too.

May the coming year be better than any before!