MY HOSPITAL VISIT AND LIKE THE FLOWING RIVER BY PAULO COELHO

I was supposed to see a couple of doctors at the KOC Hospital in Ahmadi  in October and November and I couldn't as I was out of the country. This in a way made me feel happy, because those who know me closely know how uncomfortable I am about visiting any hospital, although I have always been content with the care the doctors have extended to me at the KOC hospital. I despise falling sick, I get worried if I were to know something is wrong. But then isn't everyone the same?. The best news a doctor could tell you after all the tests, is, 'the tests have come out fine, everything is normal, there is nothing for you to worry', right? As for me, my doctor and I have mutually agreed to wait a while concerning an operation that I would require. I think I'll best do it when I am ready for it mentally and spiritually. Maybe if I am blessed with a miracle, I don't have to do it. Other little things that require attention, is nothing serious, thankfully. 

Anyways, I had an appointment yesterday for a laser treatment with the dermatologist. After my treatment, it was around 11 am, I was famished, as I didn't have anything to eat when I left home. I went to the hospital canteen and had a sandwich and orange juice. I knew it was going to take me a long time today at the hospital. I had to reschedule the missed appointments with some doctors, meet the GP, go for blood tests, x-ray and then wait for 2 hours until my husband finished his work to pick me up. I told him, it was not a problem, they have a nice canteen with delicious food, there is Coffee Bean and I am going to carry my Paulo Coelho book, 'Like the Flowing River'. 

After I was done with whatever I had to at the hospital and fortunately all went well yesterday, I decided to relax at Coffee Bean. I ordered for a cappuccino and a caramel date cake and sat on a comfortable mustard color sofa and took out my book. I have this book with me for the past 3 years and never made time to read it. After I started to read it, I wondered, why didn't I ever read this any earlier. I managed to read half of the book, it is a truly remarkable book and somehow every page would relate to the reader in some touching way. It made me feel I was on a spiritual pilgrimage. There is a profound message in every short story in this book. When I looked at my watch, there was half an hour left for my husband to pick me up. I didn't realize time fly. I couldn't finish the caramel date cake; I should have gone for my first choice, blueberry cheese cake. 

I went to the canteen and ordered for some lunch to take home. I returned to Coffee Bean to read my book and the table I sat at was cleared off the empty cup and the unfinished cake and were occupied by two young beautiful women. I sat at the next table with mustard sofas. I became totally immersed in a different world journeying along with the author as his stories, and experiences came alive. My husband walked up to me with a loving smile, helped me with my bags and we drove home.  'A beautiful day', I thought.  As he drove, I described vividly my day at the hospital and how my book kept me company as my husband listened with a few questions here and there. As we drive back home, I take out my camera and keep it ready. I notice the sunset amid the water towers, reflected in the side mirror, and try to capture what is visible in the mirror. My husband asks, 'Did you get the sunset?' 

'Like the Flowing River', gave me a renewed sense of energy. Each day is an opportunity to start a new....mend old ways, forgive, to live a balanced and poised life in harmony with nature and those around us, to improve our health, to appreciate and honor our relationships, give a little more as we take,  to change our perspective of things for the better, to be kind, to be more sensitive, to be a little more helpful. 

We have so much to be grateful for.