I pride myself on being what I consider to be a fit and healthy person.  I exercise regularly, eat well, relax and take supplements.  Of course, it has not always been that way.  In my twenties, I had little regard for a good diet, exercise or anything else for that matter.  I suppose I thought I was invincible at that time.  I certainly didn't respect my body.  That is quite interesting now to reflect back on that period.  You may remember reading in one of my previous blogs about a wonderful expression I gleaned from my friend Julia in Singapore.  Because the truth is this, if you don't look after this wonderful body that you have been blessed with "where else are you going to live?".

At this time of year in Europe, there are the usual and predictable colds, flus and step throat viruses doing the rounds.  I picked up a throat virus a just over a week ago and thought that it had all but gone.  On Wednesday of last week, I then decided to have a flu vaccine at a private clinic next door to mine in Harley Street.  It was one of those split second decisions that I took after I had finished my clinic for the day.  I have a flu jab each winter to afford me protection from bugs and was delighted this year that I could get it done instantly at a walk-in clinic for just £15.  In retrospect, it was rather a silly thing to do.  As my body was busy trying to rid itself from the throat virus, I introduced a whole raft of new ones, and now consequently, I am in need of antibiotics to clear up a very sore chest.  I have spent the last 3 days in-doors for the most part, watching all the TV that I have recorded on Sky + over the past month and some other movies that I had not seen.

I have a personal belief system that when you are ill, you are being taken out for a reason.  What I mean by this, is there is usually something else that needs you attention.  You may not know it or realise it at the time, yet it usually becomes clear.  You may need to write.  Catch up on reading, or just rest and relax and ordinarily, some kind of inspired thinking is forthcoming.  I am being a responsible citizen for the rest of the week and have cleared my calendar of any 'people contact' as I don't want to share this with anybody else.  It is a choice and often one that other people don't make.  For some, martyrdom often means dragging yourself into work and infecting everybody else.  Ask yourself, for what purpose would I want to do this?  The investment of a few days recovery is bound to make all the difference.  It also teaches you something valuable about self care and well-being.   If you are considering being inoculated against flu this winter, make sure that you are in good health to start with.  Have a wonderful day!