the basics

I have a story for you.

One evening, I went to play a YouTube video on my computer. No sound. I fiddled with the speaker connection a few times and then decided that my speakers must be dead. Oh well .. they lasted for over six years so I wasn't too disturbed. I figured I'd just use the default audio on my computer and unplugged the speakers altogether.

Huh. Still no sound. I peered all around the computer trying to figure out where the sound would come out, before deciding that apparently my computer needed speakers in order to play sound. This struck me as all wrong somehow - how could a computer not have sound - but I figured I'd just get by without audio until I bought a new computer.

Until the next morning, when I realized that no audio meant I couldn't hear the instructor on my yoga DVD. This, I considered a serious problem. (True confession: for a brief moment I considered overnight express, until I realized it would cost as much as new speakers.)

So, I dragged myself to the mall to visit the Apple store and went home with new speakers. I pulled them out and was immediately unhappy. So many wires. I hate wires. But I got them all set up and turned on the sound.

Huh. Still no sound. Now I was cross. This meant a second trip to the mall (did I mention that I avoid malls) to return them.

I was tired from the set-up and crossness so I laid on the bed to calm down. After a few minutes, I idly wondered if the volume was off and got up to check.

Yes. That's right. Somehow I had turned the volume all the way down without realizing it. My computer does have sound. My speakers still work. And I didn't need to visit the mall at all.

How on earth does this relate to wellness, you ask?

Good question!

When you're feeling icky or emotional or upset, sometimes it's a good idea to first check the basics. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you well rested? Are you eating enough? Are you eating food that nourishes you? Are you drinking enough water? Are you relatively de-stressed?

If the basics are taken care off, then maybe it is something deeper. But if not, remember that the basics are the basics for a reason. They're that important.

Comments

[Ann Bimberg]

also, to listen to friends advice ;)

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@ann: so very true! but, you know, volume isn't a cable. apparently some of us aren't very good at extrapolating and need more specific advice ;)