It isn't a pretty subject, some might say it is down right rude to even bring the subject up. Bringing up the topic certainly isn't ladylike, but I have to tell you where I started in order to take you with me on the journey. I had a colonoscopy this week. I know, it's a procedure that makes grown men cringe and one necessary to promote a long and healthy life.
As any one knows who has ever had one, it is not the actual colonoscopy that is arduous -- its the preparation that causes one to reconsider it's importance.
The whole idea is that before you go in for the test that probes your very innards, you must remove all obstacles by completely cleaning out your intestinal tract. That is the indelicate portion of this post. Quite simply -- you drink lots of this ghastly medicine that makes you go to the bathroom -- a lot.
By the time I was propped up on my bed, waiting for my turn, I was completely exhausted and in a rather foul mood. Can you blame me? For at least two hours I waited, so I had oodles of time think of all the things I could be doing and to ponder the very meaning of life.
It occurred to me that we, as the human species are pretty good at coming up with and carrying out multiple tests and procedures to make sure our bodies are as healthy as possible. What an incredible thing it would be if we could have such tests to monitor the health of our emotional heart or the passion of our soul? Who would be an expert? Who would be able to obtain the education and experience necessary to proctor such a test? Who would decide what is healthy and what isn't? Would I even want another person to measure my emotional or spiritual health?
Before the nurses, doctor and such came to whisk me away, I arrived at three important conclusions.
Important Conclusion #1: It isn't up to me to tell someone else of their spiritual or emotional health. It is up to me to be supportive and serve as a sign post when called upon. By the same token, I don't have the freedom to pass the buck and let someone else serve as the decider of my growth. It is my responsibility, no one elses. I can't blame any one but me for my lack of growth. Judgement stays with me about me.
Important Conclusion #2: You have to get rid of the garbage, the waste, the stuff that is no longer needed, the crap in all areas of life. With a society of hoarders, we do attempt to keep all sorts of things longer than we should -- hurts, old out dated ideas, hate, negative emotions, grudges, judgement. Just like I needed to clean out my colon, we need to clean out the house -- both the one built of mortar and brick and the one that represents the heart and soul.
Important Conclusion #3: When we've been cleaned out, we are hungry for something good! I was starved after many hours of fasting. I wanted a warm bowl of soup or a salad full of healthy vegetables. Once the crud is cleared out of our emotional and spiritual house, we are starved for something nutritious that helps us grow and be healthier than we were before.
I got through the test just fine and my colon health is set for another five years or so. Isn't it amazing how something so unpleasant can cause one to be pushed a bit further on the journey of growth.
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