Being a sick Buddhist is still better than being healthy and self-involved

My wife and I have both been sick lately. Nothing serious, just the annoying throat/head/nose type of ailment that hits many people this time of year. With that in mind, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to look at a Buddhist perspective or adage on sickness, and came across the following in my search:

"The key to battling illness lies in summoning a vigorous life-force and a positive fighting spirit. This brings out the full effectiveness of a curative treatment."- by Daisaku Ikeda

I liked this because it really brings things back to the idea of the energy you put out is the energy you get back. Okay, you're feeling under the weather, but summon up that fighting spirit of yours - the one that doesn't let you wallow in self-pity, the one that says "there's still stuff to be done," and step up to plate and force those ailments out of your life force.

"A sick body with a good heart is more beneficial to future lives than a fit, healthy body that is used for self-cherishing." - by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

If your heart is still in the right place, if you're still practicing a life towards helping others and not one of self-importance and self-involvement, then even sick-you is doing more in the world than the other. There are people, who are seriously ill, who still use their energy, their mind, and their focus, toward aiding and assisting others. Sadly, there are those, who even on their healthiest days still only see with the blinded eyes of self-absorption or self-involvement.

Once again, I can't help but quote Paul McCartney - "the love you take is equal to the love you make." :)