Karma or just life?

There is irony in the following situation.

Writing a book for consumption by the general public about emotional maturity, containing suggestions on how to manage the challenging events in life and then life deciding to test the author, at the same moment as publication.

It almost feels as if life is saying, "Ha! Not so easy is it? Na, na, na, na, na!

October was not a great month. It should have been. On September 28th, life was okay, with the promise of a busy, but fun October ahead. A first book publication, two book launches with family, friends and colleagues, four birthdays to celebrate, a big family weekend and finishing with a conference to attend.

John Lennon was  right: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

Sunday, September 29th started normally. Then my husband developed a stomach ache. We thought he had a bug. Twelve hours later he had been taken to hospital in an ambulance. Twenty-fours hours later he was having a major operation and the doctors and nurses were saving his life.

October 1st was spent by my husband's bedside on an Intensive Care Unit. I was in shock.

I experienced the emotional arousal of a major life event, in two ways. One as the participant and another as the observer and analyser.  So while I was initially moving and thinking in a state of shock, I was also fascinated by what it was doing to my mind and body and how I was reacting. After the initial shock comes post shock and the consequences.

It's now the beginning of November and I can report the good news that my husband is on the road to recovery, but it's a day by day lifestyle at the moment. There are few plans being made.

So what are my conclusions? Do I retract anything in the book? No, I don't. Does the recent experience confirm some of the contents in the book? It does.

We can only reflect on any given situation if we have a level of self-awareness. A sort of internal CCTV camera. Chapter 19.

In shock we are unable to think rationally, although we often think we are. Chapter 10. 

The support of friends in good times is great, in difficult times it is priceless. Chapter 6.

Though we need to have times of privacy too. Chapter 20.

Using food and alcohol as comforters is normal. Chapter 20

Knowing when to stop is crucial. Introduction. Chapter 12. Chapter 
8.

Knowing how to deal with anger and frustration is helpful. Chapter 4.

Managing thwarted expectations takes effort. Chapter 4. Chapter 13.

The specialist nurse was correct in saying that attitude plays a large part in healing and recovery from major, life-changing surgery.
Chapter 2. Chapter 13. Chapter 17.

Our personal needs changes according to the circumstances. Chapter 1.

Small steps can make big differences. Chapter 13.

The imagination can run riot and be badly misused. Perspective is helpful. Chapter 15.

The book is now at the distributors and should only take a few days to be delivered, despite what the websites are saying at the moment.

The Kindle version can be downloaded immediately.

The audiobook will be available later this month.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Are-Chasing-Rainbows-Alison-Russell/dp/1907798358/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381915085&sr=8-1&keywords=are+you+chasing+rainbows

http://www.balloonview.com/product/chasing-rainbows/

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/alison+r-+russell/are+you+chasing+rainbows3f/10050627/

©AlisonRussell2013