I could not believe what I was reading. A slip on the ice last week, on her way to a yoga class. A broken leg.
A young friend’s unfortunate luck last week made me remember how the universe works sometimes. I’ve had a few of those unlucky injuries that just make you wonder why, why and why NOW? It feels like they happen at the worst possible time. Then again, is there ever a good time to get hurt? As if we had the option to plan the inevitable injuries in our life, like we plan a haircut. “Yes, Thursday at 4pm for a broken leg would be great!”
Often when I’ve gotten hurt, or gotten sick, it felt like a break down, of everything. In fact more often than not, with a little perspective, it was really a breakthrough. The injury makes us stop and see what’s going on, if we’re willing to look at it that way.
Almost a year ago I really pulled a hamstring in an early am yoga class doing side plank with a toe hold. It wasn’t the pose itself but the lack of attention to what was going on that was my downfall. If I had been a little more tuned in, I’d have stopped before I heard that soggy pop sound. Really, I wasn’t paying attention to a few other critical things in my life, like the need for adequate sleep and my overbooked schedule.
The hamstring pull did not stop me for long. I was heading out-of-town the next day. I got some acupuncture, which helped a lot, and made my trip to Austin. I did however, have to be careful and much more intentional about how much sitting and walking I did. This gave me some space to realize, maybe, just maybe, I was doing too much.
For the next few months in that same am yoga class I had to modify my practice as I recovered. Some days I had to be in child’s pose half of the class. I realized how much the teacher complimented the students doing head stands and beautiful back bends. I had to sit with how needing to do my own thing so I could heal made me feel. I had to be with exactly where I was, in that moment, even when it felt inadequate and vulnerable.
It did not feel good. I did not like it but it sure got my attention. It made me make a huge shift in how I was spending my time. That shift created a more reasonable schedule and better alignment with what I needed and wanted to be doing.
Maybe you’ve had a breakdown this winter. Boy, oh, boy the weather has provided many for us even if you haven’t had a personal injury or illness. How did you approach it? With drama and blame? Or maybe with an openness to the potential breakthrough?
If you did go with the drama and blame option, don’t worry there will be a next time to try again for sure.
Another week of winter, and another week closer to spring!
Be well…it’s a state of mind.
Alice Dommert
deliver me wellness
alice@delivermewellness.com
Leave a Comment