Well I’m sitting here, bundled up in blankets, down for the count with a terrible sinus infection.
I’ve had a fever of 102+ for the last couple days, and I’ll tell you what – I hate being sick.
It’s ironic, actually, because I haven’t been sick in…no joke, probably 10 or 11 years; and here TWICE in the last MONTH I have been really sick! Once with Covid and now this behemoth of a sinus infection.
I went to Urgent Care and tested negative for Strep, the Flu, and Covid.
It just reminds me that being sick is NO FUN. Especially when you can’t taste, smell or breathe.
But I’ll tell you what – I have watched more TV in the last few days than I have in probably the last 3 years combined. I NEVER watch TV. As in, it is literally never on. For perspective, my electric bill every month in NYC was literally $29.33 exactly, to the penny. Because I never turned on the TV!
But now that I’m sick and am forcing myself to actually heal and not “over-do-it” like I have always done when I’m sick, I’ve allowed myself to work from bed, rest, and have the TV on in the background. And let me tell ya…
TV is….addicting.
I’ve watched the entire Meghan and Harry documentary….which…I have A LOT of thoughts about, and if you’d like me to expound upon them, I will in another post.
But I’ve also watched most of the latest season of Alone. Which is fascinating. Have you seen it? It’s where 10 survivalists are dropped off in the harsh wilderness with only 10 items, and they try to be the last to survive.
And they’re all dropped off at different parts of the vast wilderness, so no one knows how many people are left, or if they are the last one. They have to just survive until they can’t, and then “Tap Out” on their emergency “GPS locator” where they have rescue crews on standby.
So far, people have tapped out because one thought he was having a heart attack, one because of bears, one because they had lost over 18% of their body weight, one because of loneliness, and one because of hypothermia.
It’s currently day 45 and there are 4 people left, and winter has begun.
Watching people in survival mode really puts things in perspective in your own life, let me tell you. Your own little grievances don’t seem so bad when you’re literally watching people trying to survive on bugs and tree roots, while being hunted by grizzly bears.
One thing that I have noticed though, is that none of the contestants have talked about God. And that’s not because the show is anti-religion. There’s one contestant who is Pagan, and openly talks about “the gods.” The show even did a spot in his “opening package” about his religion. So it’s not for the show trying to keep religion separate.
There is a lot of “Thank you, Lake, for the fish.” Or, “Thank you, Rabbit, for your life.” But nothing about God.
And I just found myself thinking, Gosh, if you’re surviving in the wilderness, surrounded by God’s gorgeous — yet unrelenting — creation; wouldn’t that be a time that you actually contemplate God? You’re face to face, nose to nose — not only with the reality of your existence — but also, you’re relying on what that wilderness “gives” you….how could you not recognize God’s hand in all of it? Particularly if you feel you are fighting to stay alive.
I don’t know…those are just some thoughts that have gone through my head as I’m watching this show.
It is really a remarkable show, and I urge anyone to watch it. The shelters that these contestants build for themselves are nothing short of incredible. That alone is worth the watch!
But in watching their situation from the outside, perhaps it’s time that I take an outsider’s perspective on my own situation. And realize that: a) I should be very grateful for my health, and that I am able to run, and live and exist without pain or suffering on a day to day basis. That is something I definitely realize I take for granted.
And b), that life can change in the blink of an eye. So there is no better time than right now to make sure that your relationship with God is where it should be.
And prayer? Heck…if I can watch an entire season of Alone, then I can certainly find 15 minutes in my day to talk to God.
That’s the thing. All these people fighting to survive in the wilderness: they were all talking about how lonely they were, and how the mind is what is the hardest thing to overcome in that experiment. And I found myself thinking — Come on! You’re surround by God in His magnificent creation. Talk to Him! He’d love to listen!
And then it hit me: how much do I need to hear that message? I don’t need to go live in a log hut in the woods to recognize my need to communicate more with our Creator. But I do need to create the space — intentionally create the silence — to do so. And that is the hardest part.
But that is my challenge to myself. And also to you, if you’d like to join me.
Alright. Well it’s time for me to go and take another ginger shot and have a bowl of soup.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll talk to you on Monday!
Caralyn’s Cooking Corner!
Each post I will share a new Pinterest recipe video! Please SAVE to your Pinterest! Doing so is a free way to SUPPORT THIS BLOG! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for your support on Patreon!! You make this blog possible 🙂
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***Click to order your copy!
Be sure to check out my affiliate, Audible. Listening to audiobooks while I cook is literally my new favorite thing. And just for you, they’re offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership. And with this free membership, you’re going to get 2 free audiobooks! Literally. Free. It is the best deal ever. And if for some reason, you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within those 30 days and it’s zero money out of your pocket, plus, you get to keep the 2 audiobooks. Soooo…it’s pretty much a no brainer. Plus, it’s a free and easy way to support this blog! So thank you!!
STAY CONNECTED!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram
And really quickly, I’ve had several questions concerning my Amazon link (amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones) — You do not need to buy one of my specific highlighted products on my page, in order for it to “credit” my account. Any purchases that you search or make from anywhere on Amazon, after first visiting my Amazon page, will credit this blog and help support this blog ministry. I am truly so grateful and appreciative to those of you wanting to do so! So thank yo
28 responses to “Sick and…Alone”
Oh I hope that her Caralynness get far better than well.
You do know about The Chosen, don’t you? If you have to watch television while you recover, this is what you need to be watching. “The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season series about the life of Christ. It’s the free show that tens of millions of people won’t stop talking about.”
This agnostic highly recommends it. Best TV I’ve ever seen. (Wonderful story, too.)
Get well, soon!
I do hope you feel better soon! Glad you’re taking the time to rest. Thank you for your words about being intentional in creating alone time with God – Ali x
Praying that you feel better soon.
Get well soon! Being ill has a way of getting us to look at our priorities!
I hope that you are feeling much better very soon, Caralyn! Being sick totally sucks. I agree with you, how can these people not thank God for the food and the beauty they are surrounded by? I thank God every morning for getting out of bed for a new day! 🙏🏻❤️
Get well soon! Prayer time is definitely something I need to do more of as well. Even 5 minutes would be an improvement for me. Take care!
I loveeee this show! It definitely puts things in perspective. Hope you get to feeling better
Consider what Paul meant when he instructed, “Pray without ceasing.” No, he did not mean to quit your job and become a monk, but rather to recognize our “internal constant comments” about the world around us, and now direct that to Father. Like a child, become aware of His constant Presence. Such was the practice of Brother Lawrence, Practice the Presence.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Hope you feel better soon. Perhaps this down time is nature and God’s way of forcing you to slow down even more. Hugs and love sent from afar. xx 💗
Yikes! So sorry! Prayers for speedy recovery.
While you’re watching tv, I highly recommend the movie “I Still Believe”, the Jeremy Camp story. You’ll be inspired, lifted up, awed, humbled….and don’t forget to have tissues near.
Well said. I haven’t seen that show.
Sorry to hear you’re sick again. Get better soon.
[…] Sick and…Alone […]
Awwww get well soon,
Hi Caralyn, I am very sorry that you are not feeling well! You are in my prayers for a speedy and full recovery.
As Marcia said, now is a good time for you to watch “The Chosen” series. You can watch all episodes for free. It is available on the Internet and TV. The series is very well done and very factual. Because of my own energy limitations and health issues, I am able to sit and watch these, between tasks and chores. I greatly appreciate the opportunity!
My best to you!
Hope you feel better soon
Amen! Great message! I hope you feel better soon.
Often when folks relocate to a different region the body has to adjust to the pollen and airborne irritants of the area. Even though you grew up in Ohio, you haven’t been there for an extended time and your body is reacting accordingly so I pray that your allergy illness is short-lived. I, too, recommend you catch up on the Chosen series. It beats 99.9% of what’s on TV these days. God bless.
I hope you feel better.
Thanks for the reminder! I’ve been feeling like I should talk to God more throughout my day, and this just confirms it.
Also, I’ve been sick off and on since late October, so sending my sympathies – and some virtual hot-and-sour soup!
The reality of reality TV is that it is not real. Lolol. Winners get grand prize and that is a likely incentive for them to hang on. While they certainly do have survival skills, lovers may just gun fo money without assessing their own limits to hang on. Their reasons for ‘tapping out’ and how they felt about the experience could possibly be ‘directed’ by producers to increase viewership and ratings. That’s my opinion. Yes, the Chosen is a better show. Rest well and speedy recovery!
*losers
Thanks for the encouragement to be more AWARE and thank God for the beauty that surrounds us. I was prompted a week or so ago by a reading from Ann Voskamp to be more aware and thankful. Blessings on you as you get well.
Feel better!
Just FYI on the Alone series, the first two seasons feature a lot of talk about God and Jesus. One of the guys was a pastor I believe. I stopped watching after that because I cut my tv consumption way down, but I did enjoy the first couple of seasons.
To make it possible for you to watch this reality show on TV, a major camera crew must follow the contestants around the wilderness in which they are attempting to survive, hence not reality at all!
Hi Sterling, that’s what I thought too…however, this is a “reality show” that actually is a reality. They are equiped with a “Go Pro” camera and on handheld “vlog-style” camera, and they have to take all the footage themselves. Once a week, during their “medical check,” they are contacted by the show’s doctor to check their vitals, and they are given new batteries for all the cameras. So they actually are not with a crew at all. and the footage from the show is evidence: it is all self-taken.