My Rehab Journey….Part 3,Brian A. Beh
-The NOW and the FUTURE.
Four years on and my journey continues – In my mind tomorrow is the day that I will reach that site where the perfection that I am seeking is waiting.
But like the adage goes – tomorrow never comes and so my rehab journey is perpetual.
And so, it should be!
The primary life lesson that I have gleaned from my stroke is that my future existence on this planet is, in part a mirror image of the accrued benefits of my rehab plan.
If I do not heed the learnings and the wisdom imparted by the clinicians who worked with me then life has this peculiar habit of repeating itself!
So, my life and ongoing rehab is now based on a detailed plan- holistic in nature with specific strategies surrounding my physical and intellectual activities.
These strategies that cover my exercise programs, my diet and other lifestyle factors- specific and quantitative in nature so I can measure my progress and when appropriate adjust accordingly.
The other aspect is designed to ensure that I continue to grow intellectually- too often plans of this nature ignore this aspect- not this little brown turkey!!
There is so much classical music to be listened too; many novels to be read and I intend to get back into essay and poetry writing- long discarded pastimes. Plus doing research on the Holocaust for a future project I have in mind.
Incidentally, I notice that on the Foundation’s website there is a section on ‘goals’ which is worthy of a read by all stroke survivors-however because of my corporate background, I prefer the terms ”objectives, strategies and tactics.’
Anyone interested in these terms should google ‘management by objectives or MBO to find out more. Without goals or objectives, rehab can be a series of unrelated activities lacking synergy, wasteful in nature.
Finally, and thank you for getting this far, I am reminded of a quote from Max Ehrmann’s poem ”Desiderata” ,which reads
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy
Got to go- I am off for my morning walk!!