Sickness can give you a new perspective on the joys of health and wellness. I had three chances to be thankful for my health:

I caught a cold last week, presumably on the plane ride home from Cancun on Saturday. It wasn't unbearable, but I did feel weakened and foggy for a few days. Today was the first day that I really began to feel better, and I felt a measure of joy at my ability to feel normal and be able to use my physical body to its full potential.

In addition to getting over the cold, I was also able to go for a 6 mile run in the afternoon. Due to a knee injury, I have not been running for some weeks. Out of all the physical activity that I do, I find running the most fulfilling: there is no tool to help you along the way, like cycling. There is no difficulty to breathe or concentration on form, like with swimming. You just run. And in the rhythm of your feet and your breath, there is a great power of meditation. I felt joy at the end of my run, not only because I could finally resume the activity, not only because I went farther than I thought I was capable, but as a result of the mental exercise, as well.

Lastly, I was speaking to a dear friend of mine who recently finished treatment for cancer. He is in full remission. The majority of the conversation was about me and my recent troubles, to which he listened patiently and offered kind and sage advice. At the end of the conversation, he told me that, due to the effects of chemotherapy, he was having most of his teeth removed to see if the bone will grow back naturally. He wasn't angry at all, or at least gave no indication that he was upset or sad at all. I am grateful to have the health that I have, and also for the reminder that I can be cheerful even when I am without it.