Six and a half weeks ago I broke humerus bone (upper arm). I had surgery to put a pin put into my arm. This is the 1st bone I’ve broken in my 73 years. It SUCKS!

I’m an alpha female, mother, grandmother and keeper of the casa. It has been quite challenging to “let” my sweet husband do for me the things I’ve always handled. Like undressing myself: I had to ask him to peel my sports bra off over my head! Very humbling, to say the least. Thank God we’ve been married for several decades. This experience is an exercise in patience. I’m having to adjust to my new normal. It’s made me reflect on all of the things I’d taken for granted – like undressing myself.

I have been teaching yoga since the 80s and I miss it terribly. My body misses it. I especially miss doing the yoga pose Down Dog (DD). I think about all of the times in a yoga workshop when the teacher kept us in DD for a long time and I’d think, when will it end. Now, I can’t wait to be able to pop out a Down Dog. Never thought I’d see the day where I was craving a nice long DD!

So, what do YOU take for granted in your life? What activities, job, sport would you miss if you could no longer do them? I suggest you make a list of the things which are essential to your joy and well-being. Make it your business to appreciate those things as you go forward. Cultivate an “Attitude of Gratitude” about your life. I expect Ukrainians are well aware of all that they took for granted – freedom not the least of them.

So, as my friend says, “Enjoy your karma.” Be grateful for your freedom, it is not guaranteed.

I’ll close with a Buddhist blessing that is especially needed now:

“May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness,
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering,
May all beings never be parted from freedom’s true joy,
And may all beings dwell in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.”