If you look down a long, straight road, ideally from a slightly elevated position, you will [be able to] notice a number of things. The first is probably that you’re looking down a long straight road for no particular reason, so suppress the feeling of being a weirdo and move onto the next paragraph.

You will most likely [be quite able to] note that you can see all of the construction and objects on either side of the road diminishing in size as they tend toward the horizon. If you could hang a thick cord in midair the same distance off the ground along the whole length of the road, from your perspective it would appear to angle down and in until it vanishes, at the very same point that the road meets the horizon and also disappears.

Of course, I am describing a parallax vision effect, and where everything seems to culminate and disappear is called the vanishing point. Because of learning and life experience, we know that the buildings, trees and cars along the road aren’t actually dwindling to the size of ants, but rather, they are simply getting further and further away.

My six week intermission has had a fortunate early reprise. I am now out of the bonds which held me restrained, and the newfound freedom is blissful. So before the life lessons fade and vanish, like the road, into agèd obscurity…

· · ·

The prospect of not being able to do many of the things which bring me joy, relaxation, edification or money for an extended period of time was not an attractive one. On the third night of my broken arm experience I was quite distraught, grieving over these losses. Time trudges on though, and I am now back to some semblance of normal function.

All this serves to remind me that I didn’t truly know what I had. I had indeed failed to realise the true quality of life I regularly enjoy – its inherent joy, intrigue and diversity. How often have you asked yourself, what it is about your own life and the way you lead it which brings you happiness, contentment and excitement? For example, I always knew that playing piano or guitar – even making music at all – brings me incredible satisfaction and enjoyment. But I had no real idea that I would yearn for it so much, or that my heart would ache so terribly to be unable to play. To sit at the piano again today and breathe the music pent up inside… There is no sweeter tonic.

· · ·

Normalcy is not something many of us would admit to desiring. We strive to maintain a balance between unique personal expression and consensus living – think “fashion” and you’ll see the point. While my arm was out of action, though, I continually caught myself noticing how often the healthy-armed individuals around me made use of both hands and both arms. I didn’t want to be anything more than normal again, because even normal was a tenfold improvement.

· · ·

I am once again taken with fascination about the workings of the human body. I broke a bone, got a corker of a bruise and a sling to hold it all in for two weeks. The amazing thing is that I needed no invasive surgery to fix it up, and the only treatment was the temporary disuse of the injured limb. There are few other things in the world – and none of them man-made – which are so capable of self-regeneration and healing. The body is a fascinating, complex creation, forcefully reminding me once again of the existence of the Creator.

· · ·

Now more than ever I am dwelling on the importance of healthy living habits. I am making a conscious effort to live well, eat well and exercise well. There is only one opportunity to do it right, so I’m going to make my very best efforts, and I encourage you to do the same.

· · ·

I want to leave you with a Plato quote, which was already available on my quotes page, but which has a much deeper meaning for me now:

“Music is a moral law.
It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination, charm to sadness,
and life to everything.”