One Minute at a Time
“Boy, am I glad this day is finally over.” The recent words of a friend caused me to stop and scan my own attitude about the minutes that make up a day. My first impulse is to say that we have freedom to choose how we spend each minute. But is that really true? Some of my time is dictated by a lot of factors, such as health, relationships, or finances. You’ve wasted time waiting in a doctor’s office or making money. Honestly though, is it wasted, or do we have a choice of how we spend our time?
Lately my time has been spent on these things:
Physical therapy for post tibial tendon injury
Researching joint and muscle pain side effects after Hepatitis C Treatment
Teaching yoga
Showing the farm to potential buyers
Sharing weekend meals with our kids
Learning Zumba with my granddaughters
Speaking engagements
Volunteer work
Traveling with my dream guy
Networking
Training for World Transplant Games
It’s a busy and wonderful life I lead. Making every minute count is a way to honor my Creator, my donor, and myself. This looks like a glamorous life on paper. If you were with me, you’d find that there is a lot of personal work going on to make it all come together.
Between the lines of the above list:
Walking sideways with a giant rubber band on my calf
Calf raises and heel drops
RICE = Rest Ice Compression Elevation
Crutches, boot, cane
Learning chair yoga
Modifying everything, including yoga
Medical tests
Keeping the house Way Way Too Clean
Asking the kids for help cooking
Eating out more
Wearing the same pair of shoes for 4 months
Allowing my dream guy to take care of me
Connecting Oklahoman’s with The American Liver Foundation
Learning to walk again using all core muscle groups after a liver transplant
Finding my balance – legs, feet, life, relationships, and…. Balancing time
There has been some frustration.
If I can’t do what I want to do, what is the next best thing?
Do what I can with joy and gratitude.
Oh my. I recently wrote a series of articles for Hepatitisc.net about suffering. I’m good at it. It creates suffering for me just to think about what I have suffered. But in the midst of it all, there is a stillness and joy minute by minute.
Standing on one foot for 3 seconds without pain became a new way to measure time. Weight bearing for 5 minutes with pain brought shouts of triumph.
Then between the lines, while lying with my foot iced and elevated, I wasted time grumbling in my heart. Not much time though, because I make the most of each minute.
How do I make the most of my time?
By listening to uplifting audio books like this one: E2 by Pam Grout, a Methodist pastors kid from Kansas – or Wellth by Jason Cachob, founder of the mindbodygreen.com. movement. I also kept my youtube station on Joel Osteen. Gosh, who can be down with him in the house?
I did some serious booty shaking and ukulele playing. I still put on some weight. It looks good on me according to dream guy. I receive that.
It’s been a long time since I posted a blog. You can tell I’ve been busy healing my body. I’ve also been busy feeding my mind good stuff so that I can make every minute count. One minute at a time.
xoxo Karen Ruth Hoyt
16 thoughts on “One Minute at a Time”
Dear Karen, you are doing a great job! In some ways we chose, in other ways, our bodies chose for us. We have much to do to not only maintain our health, but improve it. I am rehabbing my knee and I am told it won’t fully heal until 1 year. So I am doing what I can, and loving each and every day I have been given, because the adverse of this of course is not living. I look constantly for ways to improve my health in all ways…physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Each day the Lord gives me, allows me to improve upon all these things. So I guess, I chose to do the things that I am supposed to do, and chose not to do those things that are not good for my journey.
Love you…Emma
Hay Emma,
I agree… we have to live with what we get and from there we can choose HOW we will live with it. You and I choose to rehab and keep growing. That’s why we don’t give in to being a victim. So proud to be your friend. I know that you’ve faced some hard times with this last surgery. I have Confidence that you’ll be in SLC with us next year.
I wish you were going to the transplant games with me. The swimsuits are gorgeous.
Love you,
Karen
thank you thank you thank you
is what I am wanting to say to you. I listen to Wayne Dyer a lot and anything positive I do like Joel he is a good heart. I have muscle pain asa a result of Harvoni and gut problems but as you I am trying my best to be grateful and focus on the joy and love in my life I am 64 years young and You are my inspiration Love Wendy
Sweet girl thanks so much to YOU for the feedback. Sometimes when we pour our heart out, it feels so good to know somebody gets it. I’ve been down, but I’m not out. Keep the faith love.. you inspire me. xo Karen
Hi Karen great to hear from you! I’m glad you are improving 1 step at a time. Big hugs and healing prayers.
B, Thanks for the feedback. Yes.. still here and making it work! Hugs back to you and healing for us all!! xo K
Keep up the Good God’s Work! I love hearing from you! There are sooo many people who still don’t even know they have Hep C. I pray they take the test to find out and get cured. That is when we discover Every Minute Counts! All my Love, Cindy
Thank you girlio!
It’s great to see you on the site again! Let me know if there is anything I can do. It sounds like you’re having a break from health problems recently. xoxo Grateful for that!
xoKaren
Keep up the Good God’s Work! I love hearing from you! There are sooo many people who still don’t even know they have Hep C. I pray they take the test to find out and get cured. That is when we discover Every Minute Counts! All my Love, Cindy
Cindy,
Hay girl. We need to meet soon! We don’t live that far apart! I know that God is blessing you and your family. You won’t have it any other way…. I love how you keep moving through any changes and don’t let setbacks discourage you.
That’s how we roll. haha
Thanks for stopping by..
xo Karen
Karen you look absolutely fabulous! I’m learning very some of the same things about overlooking the bad to find the positive and therefore joy in it. I’m overjoyed you are thriving! It’s really great to hear from you.
Keep nurturing yourself it makes all the difference.
Hi Sheri!
Gosh, I’ve had a busy summer and it’s so very very good to see your comment. I’m still moving and looking for the joy. I’ve got to get over to google plus. I got on a few weeks ago and it looks so different! Thank you for stopping by…. nurture you also.
xo Karen
Hiii
Karen Hoyt,
Nice post, I really like it.
Thanks for this.
Thank you so much! Great to see you again! I’m glad you stay in touch!
xo Karen
great to hear from you! I’m glad you are improving 1 step at a time. Big hugs and healing prayers.
Thank you.. gosh I’ve been so slow on responding. xo Karen
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