I know they are given out freely and are suppose to protect us from a few different flu viruses (H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B, for example), but I just don't feel comfortable getting a flu shot myself. I am not 100, I am not pregnant, I don't suffer any chronic illnesses, I am not around small children (a.k.a. carriers of everything), I don't live in a nursing home, nor am I around sickly people all day. My co-workers have so much allotted time off, they stay home for a sniffle. Doubt I'd ever catch anything from them.
My decision to decline the free flu shot is my personal choice. I don't peddle my opinion or try to sway others not to get a flu shot. By all means, if it makes you feel more protected, get one. Personally, I've never gotten a flu shot and I rarely get sick. I'm usually pretty lucky.
Last week, my office was providing flu shots to all the employees and a line was formed snaking several yards around the outside of the temporary clinic area. I was questioned as to why I wasn't getting my flu shot. My answer, which basically consisted of "I don't want one", was received with much concern. Frankly, if everyone else is getting the shot, I technically don't need one. Everyone in my office had some reason why I should get my flu shot.
1. It will protect me from several flu viruses -
Response: It doesn't protect from ALL viruses. I'm still at risk.
2. I will get sick from riding the bus-
Response: I've been riding public transportation for eight years and haven't caught the flu from this activity.
3. I'll get sick and then have to give up my vacation days -
Response: I intend to take all my vacation days as vacation days.
4. It might help me with my allergies-
Response: Since I have no idea what I am actually allergic to specifically, I highly doubt it.
5. I'll get sick and then infect my co-workers-
Response: If they've all gotten their shots, they're in the safety zone, right?
6. I might get a flu not included in the protection formula-
Response: Oy Vey. Think about that argument.
The office was full of energy as co-workers charged off to receive their shot. While getting into the elevator one man shouted out to a passerby as the doors were closing "going to get my flu shot!" The passerby cheerily shouted back "I got mine this morning!" They practically high- fived each other as the doors closed. I understand that getting a flu shot can reduce the possibility of an epidemic and spread of influenza during the winter season, but these people act as if they are doing the biggest community service they can muster. And I, on the other hand, was treated like a leper in the midst of it all.
I am somewhat skeptical about getting a flu shot, because I've heard many people actually get sick after the shot. A co-worker pointed out that wasn't true. There might just be a few symptoms which include, but are not limited to sore throat, fever, aches, fatigue and soreness. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest these are--eerr--flu-like symptoms.
Why couldn't anyone just accept that I wasn't getting a flu shot, wish me good luck in not getting sick and carry on with their day? After all their badgering and warnings, I'm never going to hear the end of it if I should get sick.
I immediately sent emails to a few friends who study alternatives to western medicine and requested a list of seven herbs and spices to protect myself from illness. More than staying healthy for the sake of staying healthy, I have a point to prove now!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Greatest of Ease
It's easy these days to feel like a complete failure much of the time, especially in Seattle. Seems everyone in this city has several degrees or is currently obtaining a Masters, PhD or Doctorate Degree. I just got back from an industry conference where most attendees had a multitude of letters following their name. I didn't even have a business card to exchange. I applied for grad school and was accepted, but haven't drummed up the money or serious ambition and drive to actually enroll after taking my pre-requisite course in January. I am almost a CPCU having completed 8 out of 10 courses, but not there yet. One man the keynote speaker at our conference referred to in his opening speech had 22 educational designations after his name. I turned to the woman next to me and whispered, "that guy must never go on vacation".
It never ceases to amaze me how driven and successful some people are. Seems at any given moment I might be watching Oprah or a similar program and there is some over achiever promoting his most recent book, the author some neurosurgeon who has five beautiful over achieving children, has founded a successful non-profit organization, travels to Africa regularly to save the starving and sick, and in his spare time enjoys spending time at his ranch outside Santa Fe. WTF? How does one do all of that? I can't even manage to go my meaningless office job, get to yoga and do my laundry all on the same day, much less actually achieve some greatness. I realize these individuals are more rare than not, and their stories should be inspiring and motivating. Instead, I tend to walk away feeling like a bit of a loser. I quit my corporate gig to go travel the world and seek my dreams and ended up right back where I started. There is a real success story the world is dying to read.
I think small achievements are the way to go. Rather than reach for the stars, maybe I ought to just reach for, say, a tall tree branch and see how that goes first? A couple of weeks ago, my cousin from Colorado was visiting me and I dragged her to an introductory trapeze class. While she was moderately worried about this chosen activity (mine, not hers), she was a good sport and went along with it. Keeping her calm and excited about trying this, distracted from any anxiety I may have felt.
Frankly, I was pretty sure due to my lack of upper arm strength and athletic ability, I'd be spending my time in the net below. The instructors spent adequate time coaching us prior to our first attempt at hanging from the trapeze bar from our knees. Our knees? How the heck is that suppose to happen? After showing us on a static bar, I figured I was doomed. My cousin's comment to me was "this is no way to treat your house guests!"
We each took a turn climbing up to the platform one by one as our classmates watched and rooted from below. Just climbing the wobbly ladder to the top and stepping onto a rather narrow platform was nerve racking, even though I was clipped to a safety belt. Once on top, our coach harnessed me in, I reached out and grabbed the heavy steel trapeze bar, he gave the commands as we practiced on the floor, "ready, hep!" and that was my cue to hop off the platform into the air with the 'greatest of ease'. On the command of Coach Katie below, I was to tuck my knees over the bar and let go letting my arms drop over my head, swing back and forth and then re-grab the bar, untuck my knees, and with straight legs kick 1, 2, 3, then tuck knees and do a backwards flip onto the net like a backwards cannonball. If all that sounds complicated, it was. At least at first. It took me three tries to actually do all that and on the fourth try I mastered it in the very short time frame we needed to accomplish all those moves in order to graduate to do a "catch". The catch involves doing the knee hang maneuver and then rather than re-grabbing the bar, Coach Dave hanging from the opposite trapeze grabs my wrists (and I'd better grab his) and we swing together as I let my knees release from the trapeze. What a ride! What a rush! I was amazed at how it felt. I was even more amazed that I could even successfully accomplish such a feat. At least it was a feat in my mind. Certainly, the others could achieve this too. This was, afterall, a beginner 'trick'. Even so, I was proud of my minor accomplishment.
I guess in the future when I'm feeling defeated by my failed attempts in life, and I see Dr. So and So spouting off all his achievements and do gooder deeds, I can ask the question, "Yeah, but can you do a Catch on a trapeze?"
It never ceases to amaze me how driven and successful some people are. Seems at any given moment I might be watching Oprah or a similar program and there is some over achiever promoting his most recent book, the author some neurosurgeon who has five beautiful over achieving children, has founded a successful non-profit organization, travels to Africa regularly to save the starving and sick, and in his spare time enjoys spending time at his ranch outside Santa Fe. WTF? How does one do all of that? I can't even manage to go my meaningless office job, get to yoga and do my laundry all on the same day, much less actually achieve some greatness. I realize these individuals are more rare than not, and their stories should be inspiring and motivating. Instead, I tend to walk away feeling like a bit of a loser. I quit my corporate gig to go travel the world and seek my dreams and ended up right back where I started. There is a real success story the world is dying to read.
I think small achievements are the way to go. Rather than reach for the stars, maybe I ought to just reach for, say, a tall tree branch and see how that goes first? A couple of weeks ago, my cousin from Colorado was visiting me and I dragged her to an introductory trapeze class. While she was moderately worried about this chosen activity (mine, not hers), she was a good sport and went along with it. Keeping her calm and excited about trying this, distracted from any anxiety I may have felt.
Frankly, I was pretty sure due to my lack of upper arm strength and athletic ability, I'd be spending my time in the net below. The instructors spent adequate time coaching us prior to our first attempt at hanging from the trapeze bar from our knees. Our knees? How the heck is that suppose to happen? After showing us on a static bar, I figured I was doomed. My cousin's comment to me was "this is no way to treat your house guests!"
We each took a turn climbing up to the platform one by one as our classmates watched and rooted from below. Just climbing the wobbly ladder to the top and stepping onto a rather narrow platform was nerve racking, even though I was clipped to a safety belt. Once on top, our coach harnessed me in, I reached out and grabbed the heavy steel trapeze bar, he gave the commands as we practiced on the floor, "ready, hep!" and that was my cue to hop off the platform into the air with the 'greatest of ease'. On the command of Coach Katie below, I was to tuck my knees over the bar and let go letting my arms drop over my head, swing back and forth and then re-grab the bar, untuck my knees, and with straight legs kick 1, 2, 3, then tuck knees and do a backwards flip onto the net like a backwards cannonball. If all that sounds complicated, it was. At least at first. It took me three tries to actually do all that and on the fourth try I mastered it in the very short time frame we needed to accomplish all those moves in order to graduate to do a "catch". The catch involves doing the knee hang maneuver and then rather than re-grabbing the bar, Coach Dave hanging from the opposite trapeze grabs my wrists (and I'd better grab his) and we swing together as I let my knees release from the trapeze. What a ride! What a rush! I was amazed at how it felt. I was even more amazed that I could even successfully accomplish such a feat. At least it was a feat in my mind. Certainly, the others could achieve this too. This was, afterall, a beginner 'trick'. Even so, I was proud of my minor accomplishment.
I guess in the future when I'm feeling defeated by my failed attempts in life, and I see Dr. So and So spouting off all his achievements and do gooder deeds, I can ask the question, "Yeah, but can you do a Catch on a trapeze?"
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