Today’s profound thought – if you’re going to skydive, do NOT use a concrete block as your parachute.
Ever really hope for something sooo wonderful….that when it DOESN’T happen, you realize you’re so utterly crushed by reality that you fall not only to the ground but perhaps try to visit the earth’s core?
Yep, me too. Yesterday, as a matter of fact. Luckily, by the evening I ditched my concrete parachute and rebounded with style and grace, but wow, it was a tough time there for a bit.
The Background
You see, yesterday I finally heard from the doctor regarding my ankle. When last we had conversed, 2 weeks ago, there was a possibility that I could undergo an operation or 92 that would realign my leg bones into a semblence of normalacy (all together now – yay!).
‘course, that was then. Since then, he had a good look at my 3d xrays and the result was, he can’t believe I’m still capable of walking AT ALL, given the fact I have virtually zero cartilage where the rest of humanity has plenty.
So….there’s no fix, nothing, nada, end of the trip, bottom of the pond, do not pass go, do NOT collect $200, and all that great stuff in life. In essence, I will simply continue the way I am until my ankle decides to fall off on its own accord…and then I’ll have it fused. It could be soon, it could be next year, it could be 5 years from now….you see what I mean.
After getting this message yesterday, I gave myself permission to truly grieve for my loss of hope. For 10 minutes, I cried to the universe and completely came apart with a style and grace a crushed Monster truck would admire.
My, that felt good. 
Afterwards, I let it all go…and realized that:
1.) Things could be a LOT worse.
Gratitude for what I currently DO have….there’s a heck of a lot of it!
2.) I had 3 blissful years of fantastic physical fitness….that’s more than most people my age choose to seize.
Ever since my FabFitMom days, I lost 50 plus pounds, started karate and got into really really good physical shape. For 3 years, I’ve been ascending ever upwards and onwards without EVER looking back.
Well, that time is a wee bit over. I can no longer do massive cardio or physical fitness….but I can of course still retain my healthy lifestyle.
Back then, I was able to run for the first time in decades. Run! Me! Gosh, it was heavenly…I was able to feel the wind as I flew down the hill or complete 1.8 of my 2.4 mile circle walk at a fast pace indeed.
Not only that – I started karate and sparring and I’m one step away from my black belt too!
You have NO idea how grateful I am to the universe that I was given those 3 wondrous years…it’s something I’ll treasure forever.
Sure, that was then….but I will NEVER forget it. And while I might have to modify my activities NOW and will probably never spar again….my memories of overcoming my own pre-conceived notions are pure gold to me.
3. Everything happens for a reason
I choose to believe that everything in life happens for a reason. You might not know it today or tomorrow or next year or a decade from now…..but some time in life, you’ll realize the benefit you received because of some trauma that had occured ‘long long ago in the past.
Well, in my case…the benefit was yesterday. Honorable Boy 1 had recently gotten into this whole "Life is UNFAIR! WAH!" mode because All Powerful Mother (ie, yours truly) insists on boundaries, consequences and the like. "Mom, you’re taking the computer away from me, that’s UNNNNNNFAAAAAIRRRR!"
Well kid, look at me – I’m going to be handicapped sometime in the future and unable to walk. THAT’S UNFAIR. THAT’S REALITY. THAT’S LIFE.
His eyes grew wide…and the point was made. I’m extremely grateful for that.
The Current Situation
Thus….my hope for an ankle fix turned out to be a concrete parachute. And IF I had held onto that hope as the be-all and end-all…I’d end up pretty figuratively smashed on the ground.
Because life…it happens.
It might not happen the way you desire….and when reality punches you in the face, you have the two following options.
One…refuse to acknowledge it and hang onto your future doom with both sweaty hands
or Two….
Turn on a dime, rebound and give yourself permission to overcome it all.
Right?
Let’s turn this conversation now over to the person who matters the most….YOU!
Have you ever set your hopes on something so wondrously magnificent that when it DIDN’T come to pass, you were shocked to the core and shut down?
Do you CURRENTLY clutch false hopes to your heart and believe that if you ignore that frantic freight train heading straight for you, you’ll somehow avoid it even if you never ever proactively take a step to the side?
If so, my friend, you’re putting all your hopes and beliefs in your concrete parachute….and unless you ditch that NOW prior to taking your next big step, you’ll end up pulverized beyond all hope of repair.
You deserve better than that…much much much MUCH better indeed.
And the next post in this series will show you how to ditch your concrete parachute and instead, give wings to achieving your future goals. See you then!
Enjoy,
Barbara Ling
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Keep up the great jobs! Talented people deserve to be acknowledged!
.-= Video Tutorials´s last blog ..Call Of Duty COD 5 World at War (WAW) Glitches, Cheats, Tricks WII : More Cliffside Glitches =-.
You go girl! It’s one thing to teach the glass half full rather then half empty – and quite another to live it. What a wonderful example you have set for your family, your friends and your colleagues
~Susan
.-= Susan Gilbert´s last blog ..Why do people succeed? =-.
Thanks so much, I really appreciate your words!!
Hello Barbara,
Great post on dealing with life’s unexpected circumstances. My best to you and your family.
Paul
Thanks! It certainly is character-building.
Barbara,
(I care nothing about you posting this and will not be offended if you don’t. I have left off my website lest you think I’m promoting something. Please contact me and I’ll send you a link to read the “rest of the story”)
I’m a bit mad at you:-)
Below, is a story (one of many) of a man who did not accept his Doctors “opinions” of his “condition” and proved them wrong. I hope you will read it and take hope. I know, I know, X-rays, MRI’s and probably a competent and caring Doctor, are all telling you, your “Reality”
Please consider there are alternate “Realities” beyond what you have accepted as TRUE….
Regards, Jim
“Mitchell’s life-changing work began with his own miraculous healing from a near-fatal car accident in 1972. He was faced with over 40 broken bones, multiple life-threatening injuries, incurable infections and a hopeless prognosis. A team of 70 medical doctors from one of the most prestigious medical centers in the United States insisted that Mitchell have at least one of his legs amputated, that he would never walk on his own again and that he would be plagued with dangerous infections, serious medical complications and a multitude of limitations for the remainder of his life. However, Mitchell believed differently. Against all odds, he went on to make medical history — becoming one of the first medically documented cases of nonconventional healing. He regained full use of both of his legs and the rest of his body, by successfully regenerating destroyed nerves, bones, muscles and organ tissue, in a manner that the medical community had deemed impossible.”
Thanks for sharing!!
Barbara, we talked about this last week and you are living it. We cannot choose our circumstances but we can control our response. You could have wallowed in self pity and chosen to be the victim, instead you changed your story. You focused on what you do have and acted with a hero’s resolve. Thank you so much for sharing your triumph!
.-= Karen Swim´s last blog ..Victim or Hero? What is Your Story? =-.
Thanks for your kind words! Life always has a way of hitting us with the lessons we need most.
When that day of ankle (or more) immobility comes, it will suck, no doubt, but fortunately your writing and e-marketing talents will remain. Hopefully the recruiting market will rebound a bit more by then, and we’ll see more of your efforts in that arena as well!
Thanks Glenn for your kind words, I very much appreciate them!