Separating inner doom from outer doom

Ludi

My outlook does not become doomier when I contemplate my personal fate. I have for years now assumed I would not live long. My recent bout of flu and pleurisy have not changed this attitude, only deepened my assumption that I will probably die of pneumonia soon after times get tough. The respiratory system just ain't what it ought to be for someone my age who never smoked. Oh well. But that doesn't make me feel especially more doomed about everything else. I don't feel especially doomed in any case. Stuff happens. *shrug*
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Heineken

I know we're all deeply sorry to hear that, Ludi.

I myself am currently recovering from what I believe was the flu. I have a horrible lingering cough. I know how it feels, believe me.

Also, I'm worried about my left elbow, which I hurt several months ago (while building my dam). It's recovering so slowly that at times I wonder if it's recovering at all. I really need that arm!

Maybe you could try some very gentle, slowly progressive aerobic exercise, like walking or stationary biking. A properly designed, paced program can build your aerobic capacity dramatically over time.

We're all so fragile and so mortal. If only we could recognize that as a species, and live accordingly.
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"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Ludi

Thank you, Heineken. I usually tend to get a moderate amount of exercise from "slaving in the fields" though now I need to gradually get back into doing the work.

Definitely as one ages the aches and pains get more worrisome. I also have tendonitis in the elbow, and pains in the sacroilliac. I'm so achey and painy now, I just can't imagine how uncomfortable I'll be if I make it to old age! Confused

Guess I better work harder on producing my own pain meds (booze, etc).
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Heineken

Ludi, I've done mountains of outdoor physical labor AND formal exercise, and my feeling is that physical labor doesn't do a whole lot in terms of major physiological benefits. (It does burn plenty of calories and promotes mental health.) Although I'd much rather build a woodshed or plant a tree, I've learned to force myself to take time out for regular exercise. Walking (say, three times a week) is sufficient if you increase your gait somewhat over your normal speed. It's very gentle and you can gradually increase the distance. I really think this would help you with your respiratory issue.

As for those aches and pains, yoga has been a godsend for me and is the last thing I'd give up. It can slow or actually reverse some of the aging processes. Again, it's something you can ease into. We've had at least one yoga thread and as I recall it has some excellent info.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Ludi

It's worth a try, certainly. Thank you for that advice.
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aflurry · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 28, 2005 Posts: 829

Heineken

VERY funny, aflurry! Thanks! Smile

_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

oowolf

Ludi, have you used Ravensara aromatica oil for pleurisy? I've been subject to pleurisy all my life and have found this essential oil brings fast relief applied as a hot compress.
http://www.aroma-pure.com/ravensara.htm

Heineken

Oowolf, I'm not disrespecting your herbal beliefs by saying this, but it's possible the relief is due to the heat and not to the oil.

Whatever works, of course.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

BigTex

I'm not sure there is any "outer doom". Everyone reacts to the same events in their own way. Some can experience horrible tragedy in an optimistic way. Others look at everything through poop colored glasses; to them, everything is bad, and the better it looks, the worse it must be.

Each of us knows that he or she will die, and a lot of us suspect that the whole human race will unwind at some point.

This moment, however, is real. Inhabiting this moment fully is probably as close to immortality as it gets. One of the tragic things about many lives is how much time was spent pointlessly worrying about the past or future, at the expense of just soaking up the series of moments that life is made of.

This point is a total cliche, but it's also true.