Putting Up Christmas Lights And An Unexpected Crash!
We have a Christmas tradition that starts just after Thanksgiving. It's time to put up the outside Christmas lights. Since I do this all by myself, much care is necessary to avoid accidents.
The riskiest operation is climbing the ladder to string lights above the garage and porch. Laying lights below are the least risky venture.
Not this year!
Crash!
After everything was completed, adjustments were necessary for the ground lights. While walking in the dirt and aligning the lights, I told myself to be careful not to trip.
After barely having those thoughts, guess what. The very thing I was trying to avoid, happened.
I put my right foot forward, and then it happened. My left foot got stuck in a small dip. I fell violently flat on my face and broke that fall with my left hand. My head hit a flower pot. After being stunned for a few seconds, I did the usual checks to assess what injuries I sustained.
My left arm was injured but nothing seemed broken. While getting up I couldn't apply any weight to it. Something was not right. Using my right hand I was able to stand up. Fortunately, this arm seemed fine. I drove myself to urgent care to get an assessment by a doctor.
X-rays were taken. I was told that nothing was broken and was sent home with my left arm in a sling. I can't use it for anything right now. It's strange typing only with my right hand.
Revised Diagnosis
A doctor called me today to let me know they had a second look at my X-Rays. It appears there are fractures that were missed. Next week I'll be seeing an orthopedic surgeon for a proper diagnosis. The best outcome would be my arm wrapped in a cast. The worst outcome would be surgery.
This made me ponder. If I hadn't focused on a possible accident, would I have instinctively raised my feet high enough for this accident not to have happened?
Accidental Outcomes In Our Business
In our business, do we often focus more on the negative outcomes instead of the positive ones? I do believe that when we keep thinking bad things will happen and constantly try to avoid them, they usually do happen.
Why not devote our thoughts to positive outcomes? We should be working hard to achieve our goals. Why not give ourselves the added benefit by thinking our actions will achieve the desired result?
Problems Festering
No matter how positive we think, bad things can happen. When they do, corrective action should be taken as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problems could fester and become worse.
After my fall, I thought of waiting till the next day to see how my arm felt before deciding to see the doctor or not. If I did that, perhaps my injury could have worsened because I would not have gotten expert opinions.
The Stitch Theory
My grandmother used to tell me a stitch in time saves nine. When we delay addressing a problem, it will take much more effort to solve it later. Just like a loose stitch in a garment that unravels more over time requiring more stitches later.
Lessons Learned
I'd like to leave you with three takeaways from this saga.
- Focus on positive results when you take action.
- When things go wrong, look for solutions as soon as possible.
- Follow the advice given by the experts to reach your goals sooner rather than later, or never.
The Genesis Of My Crash - Let There Be Light!
Here's the outcome of the Christmas lights in a picture taken last night. In case you're wondering where I fell, it was in the area on the left, out of view. See those lights on the bricks? I wanted to straighten them out. After my fall I used a remote clamp to assist me. I should have done that in the first place.
P.S. We have an LED street lamp right next to our house. It provides so much illumination that tends to overpower the Christmas lights. I'll have that any night compared to a darkly lit street.
I wish you all the very best for the gap days before Christmas.
Cheers!
Edwin
Recent Comments
70
Wow, Edwin, I hope your arm heals without the surgery.
Sometimes, I think accidents can be a psychosomatic thing.
Pondering having an injury occur may conjure the injury.
Although, accidents do happen, and we never see them coming.
My brother-in-law broke two ribs sneezing a few years back.
I never thought that was even something that's possible.
You hit the nail on the head with the same happening to business.
Get well, my friend.
John
Hi John,
Thanks for your comments. And validating what I stated ha! I didn't know you could break ribs by sneezing. Then, sneezing can be quite violent sometimes.
All the best to you.
Edwin
If it is any consolation at all, your lights up look great, So sorry about your fall. Hope you heal quickly.
Put my lights up this weekend, but since I have an apartment with a balcony, I only have a railing of about 20 feet long. Hung blinking lights across the rail this year. Looks neat through the sliding door from inside.
Came home from a concert to find my cat sitting in a chair staring at the lights. She was so mesmerized watching the blinking lights that she didn't hear me come in the apt.
Take care and heal quickly. Merry Christmas!
Hi Barbara,
I can visualize your cat being transfixed by your Christmas lights. Glad you put them up. Merry Christmas to you too.
Edwin
I am very sorry to learn about your crash, Edwin. I sincerely hope your arm recovers well.
You did a great job of installing the lights on your house. Such a nice photo!
You also have done a great job typing this post with only one hand. It shows what determination and perseverance can achieve.
Best wishes!
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
My left arm must be improving because I can use those fingers to type this. Hopefully, this bodes well when the orthopedic surgeon evaluates my bones. Perhaps I will be able to get away with a cast instead of surgery.
Is installing lights a big tradition in Australia? Since it stays bright longer, the impact will be less compared to here.
Does the tradition of eating Christmas pudding under a shady tree still popular? When I was a kid in India that was one of the traditions we learned about Australia.
All the best to you.
Cheers.
Edwin
Hi Edwin,
I'm very pleased that you can use those fingers for typing. That's great!
Unfortunately, I'm not able to answer your questions as I live in New Zealand. Not Australia.
However, they are interesting questions and I can tell you that installing lights is a big tradition in New Zealand. And lights are installed on houses in my neighbourhood. I don't venture out at night now, but before moving to a new region early this year, I used to go with friends to see the Christmas lights and there were thousands of buildings shining brightly with Christmas lights. It was most enjoyable seeing them all.
And, I'm not sure that New Zealanders eat Christmas pudding under a shady tree. But they certainly do eat Christmas pudding!
Cheers.
Valerie
Hope you feel better soon, Edwin! That's a rough fall. But you've turned it into something positive. And your lights look beautiful!
Susan
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Hey Edwin - So sorry about your accident. Looking on the bright side, your lights are right on.
I always like to say; balance is the key to life. So we must be cautious but not to the point that it paralyzes us in any way. It can be a fine line.
I hope you only need the cast, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Love your attitude. Thinking optimistically the lights were up before my accident. Otherwise there would have been no Christmas lights.
I know there is something amiss. When I move my arm into certain positions I feel like there are bones going out of place. I’m doing my best to not let that happen. Until it’s in a cast, it’s hard to control all the time.
Thanks for commenting.
Edwin