So I have recently been diagnosed with Ross River Virus. I won’t bore you with all the details, but for those who don’t know much about this virus, it is extremely debilitating, with excruciating joint and muscle pain as well as a general feeling of what I can only describe as blaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh.

Needless to say, it hasn’t been fun. Frustratingly, I had a virus almost at the same time last year, with nearly identical symptoms that lasted the best part of two months. I am not at all impressed that once again I find myself in the same predicament this year.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am an ‘action’ girl, not as in action figure, like Wonderwoman or something, although, that would be super cool…but, I digress.

Basically, I find it hard to not be doing ‘stuff’. Now, please don’t mistake this with super productivity – I can be as lazy as the next person but I am always busy. Busy having fun, that is.

Enforced inactivity is NO FUN AT ALL

The only way to get over this virus is rest, rest, rest. And then when you feel better, you know what you get to do?? Rest some more. Yep. It’s a long recovery process, apparently, if you want to ensure it doesn’t recur, which I do. So, I am going to have to do what I am told (always hard at the best of times!) and lay low for awhile.

My life now consists of some very minimal light work duties (the boss is really strict and gets cranky easily if I try to outstay my welcome in the office), and then the rest of the day is spent either in my recliner or laying on the bed.

The exhaustion renders my brain into a sloppy, sluggish mass with only a small window of reasonable working capacity which I rightly save for my light work duties, so working on my novel is out, as is reading any ‘writerly’ books. All I have is the odd game on facebook, draw something, reading ‘holiday’ books, the occasional rambling blog post and introspection.

And you know what? Now that I have accepted that resting is just the way it is right now, the enforced quiet and introspection has given me the gift of thankfulness.

I am thankful for:

• my husband/nurse/cook/boss/driver/house cleaner. Without such an outstanding man, I could not recuperate and relax so completely,

• my children who are happy to help out, tell me all their news, and between the three of them always make sure I have a hot cup of tea at hand,

• our business – no employer would be as understanding as my husband is at my limited capacity; also now that we work from home, I can do what I can and take as many breaks as I need,

• my little dogs, especially Vincent, who happily snuggles next to me as I doze or read, keeping me warm and giving me love,

• technology – my iphone, my macbookair – both keep me connected to people and provide laughs, entertainment and distraction from the pain and discomfort.

So, as tempting as it is to wallow in self pity and focus on the pain, I’m going to focus on the positives and be thankful for this virus. After all, there is always something to learn from everything life throws at us and I’m not one to pass up a learning opportunity, no matter what brings it to me.

What negative have you turned around to be a positive in your life? I would love to hear about it…and you know I have the time to listen!