Did Your Day Go As Planned?

When I thought about this question I do what I often do and that is read way too much into the question.  “Did Your Day Go as Planned?” is a very simple question and the answer is a simple yes or no.  However, there is one day that no one with a chronic or other life-altering illness ever planned for and that’s the day of your diagnosis.

I don’t think anyone woke up one morning and said, “Gee, today I think I’ll go to the doctor and be told I’m health challenged?”  It’s not on anyone’s goal list so no reason to think it would be part of your daily plan.  Once that happens there probably have been many days that didn’t go as planned such as those where you had to go to the lab for tests or admitted to the hospital for a complication.  Those are the moments that may be out of your control, but you find ways to deal with them with grace.

So if you can’t control those things, what can you make plans for during your day?  There are simple things like making sure you have a nice meal.  I’m not just talking about the food, but making where you eat a desirable location.  “Plan” to eat at the table and give yourself some moments of pleasure.

“Plan” time with friends.  These social interactions don’t only make you feel good; they’ve been proven to increase your immune function.  It takes planning because if you leave it to happen naturally (organically) you may be sitting at home, alone waiting for the phone to ring.  “Plan” on making it happen.

“Plan” on engaging in activities that bring you joy.  I was online with a friend last night and I asked him, “What do you do in your free time?”  His reply was, “sing and dance”.  Whether your artistically inclined, tinker with engines, garden, or some other activity (for me it’s reading and quilting) “Plan” on engaging in these activities.  Don’t leave it to chance, mark in your appointment book, your Blackberry or iPhone. 

Let’s see how you can arrange your life so the day does go as you planned.  What steps, actions, or intentions can you make to get this process up and running?  Let me know how you’re planning your day and let’s spread the wealth.