The Unexpected Lessons of a Cold

I don’t like being sick. Not many people do. Maybe when we were kids, a cold was a good excuse to skip school or avoid an unpleasant task. Not so now. If I’m sick, the work just piles up. That was true back when I had a job, and it’s even more so now that I’m “retired.” Worse yet, I’m achy and don’t feel like eating—or even having a beer. And that sucks, to say the least.

Being sick also slows things down. I don’t feel sharp. I lose my grip on the world’s problems. And the stuff going on in D.C. and beyond feels even more overwhelming. I remind myself that’s because it is nuts—especially when I’m forced to watch it in slow motion.

But I’ll leave that alone. Let you ponder whether there was ever anything of substance there. I’ll return to my own little world, where at least I can exercise some control and watch things play out.

Colds are one way of balancing the books. As I’ve been telling my kids for decades (they’re in their 50s now), your body keeps an accurate record of how you treat it. Not enough rest, poor diet, no exercise—sooner or later, you’ll pay the price. I know this firsthand. I push myself too hard, and when I’m healthy, I rarely get more than five and a half hours of sleep a night. But when I get run-down, I get sick. Try to come back too soon? I get sick again. It’s happened this time. Maybe one day I’ll learn.

But not being able to do things—even something as simple as shoveling snow—comes with a lesson. It reminds me, again and again, that I’m not getting any younger. It also forces me to ask whether I’m prioritizing what really matters. The things I’d name in a heartbeat if someone asked, “What’s important?”—my wife, my family, my friends, my community. But when I’m rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off, I don’t stop long enough to check in. To ask how they’re doing. How we’re doing. Without this forced slowdown, I just don’t ask those questions. And trust me, that’s not good for any of us.

I’ve known this for years. Many, many years. And I think I’ve gotten better about it. Not as much as I’d like, but better.

What to do? There’s no simple answer, and no one answer that works for all.

SLOW DOWN. This cold forces me to do that. Take a deep breath and look around. Start small—no big, dramatic changes needed. And don’t worry if old habits creep back in. Just try something small: a kinder smile in the morning. Putting a couple of things away before bed. A quick email to someone with a kind word. Do what you can as your strength allows.

And always, always remember kindness—for yourself and for others. We’re all human, and we’ll get through this together. Stop, listen, and strive for understanding and compassion.

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Ken was a Professor of Mathematics, a ceramicist, a welder, and an IBMer until downsized in 2000. He taught yoga until COVID-19 decided otherwise. He continues writing, living with his wife and beagle in Shorewood, Wisconsin. He enjoys chamber music and mysteries. He’s a homebrewer and runs whitewater rivers. Ken is a writer and his literary works can be found at https://www.kmkbooks.com/
He welcomes feedback on his articles and can be reached at havokjournal@havokmedia.com.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.