Getting back up on 'down days'

Mike, my longtime friend, has spent decades studying astrology in a serious way. He's a firm believer that the movement and positions of celestial objects greatly influence our life.

He believes in it so much that when his charts tell him he's entering a time of jeopardy, he won't conduct any serious business, enter into any contracts, or make money decisions.

In the spirit of friendship he did my personal astrology chart for me based on my time of birth in relationship to the planets.

I was surprised the personality analysis based on my exact time of birth was relatively spot on - except the part that said I was materialistic.

I grew up in the coal regions where we value family, friendships and caring for others. Family is paramount and others are important, but material things are not. That's what I learned growing up.

We might have lived in a modest row of homes but we were all rich in the things that most matter.

Mike conceded I'm not the least bit materialistic but insisted the rest of my personal analysis was accurate.

He also did a timeline for me, suggesting there are times when I should just "lay low" when the charts are warning I'm entering a bad time.

For me, astrology is fun but it's not anything I take seriously.

Maybe I should have.

It was a tough two weeks where my guardian angel had to work overtime, starting when I caused a fire in the microwave.

Then, as I was running though my house without shoes, I ran into a heavy piece of furniture. The furniture didn't move when I smacked into it, and neither did I, because I couldn't move after I hit the floor.

When I could finally crawl to my feet, I couldn't walk without pain. Two weeks later, I still can't. I think I broke some of the small bones in my foot, but I can't get in to see the orthopedic doctor until next week.

That means I can't do any of the activities I enjoy. I can't bike, can't dance, and can't even take my morning walks.

As if that weren't bad enough, the Super Bowl party I went to had a bad ending … and I don't mean on the football field.

As my contribution to the "bring a dish party," I bought a slow cooker filled with my Italian meatballs and sauce. When I saw the empty crock pot sitting in soapy water, I tried to clean it. Unknown to me, the pot had smashed and jagged glass was hidden underwater. I lost a chunk of flesh and couldn't stop bleeding.

Everyone said I would need stitches. But dummy me, instead of going to emergency that night, I waited to see my family doctor the next day. He said I needed a hand surgeon but I had missed the six-hour of opportunity where I could have stitches.

Did you know there's too much danger of infection if a wound is sutured more than six hours later?

I've been asking people that question, and it seems that everyone knew that except me. Let's just say the doctor isn't too pleased with me and I'm not too pleased with not being able to use my right hand.

I have to admit all that happened has made me super cautious and super cranky.

While I always insist I'm a grateful person, the test of gratitude must surely be a test for whether one can remember to be grateful for everything at all times, even bad times.

Anyone can be grateful for everything when life is mostly sunshine. But what about when you're getting rained on?

I tell myself it's just temporary. My hand will heal. Eventually, my foot will, too. I have no right to complain, so I try not to.

The question for me for the past two weeks is how I can get back up during these down days.

Isn't that a question we all have to answer sooner or later? We all have to have something we fall back on when we are feeling out of sorts.

I try to refocus on the positive by paying more attention to the little things that bring me joy - little things like the tiny bird that sits up high in the bare tree in my neighbor's yard. It's just a small bird with lusty lungs, but that one little bird never fails to stop me in my tracks and make me smile.

What is it about a bird that is so uplifting? I've always wondered about that. How can something so simple and so small have such healing powers?

I don't know the answer, but I know it works for me.

The Rev. Jeff Brinkman is a Methodist minister with a wonderful uplifting blog that's on my Internet reading list.

The blog that brought him to my attention is called "Can you hear the birds sing?" He says birds always make him think of the creator, and he ends each blog by stating, "It's a beautiful day in God's world. Be sure to see the good."

I find that thought uplifting.

Good, positive thoughts, a little bird and a few caring friends were what it took to get me feeling good again after a few down days.

So, what do you do when you have the blues?

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.