Taking Time for Quiet Reflection

Pain Doesn’t Get a Vote

The last few days, post-cruise, have been somewhat isolated by choice. In the first place, the recurring herniated discs in my neck have been busy putting pressure on the nerves controlling my left shoulder, arm, and wrist making it hard to find a comfortable position for sleep. Added to the mix was the need to give up my usual anti-inflammatory aids; turmeric, bromelain, fish oil, and Aleve because I had to do a colonoscopy prep. Needless to say, had I not remembered to use the somewhat smelly, but incredibly effective Salonpas gel in combination with regular administrations of ice, I’d be ready to bite someone’s head off by now.

Even so, I spent most of the 12 hours I spent trying to sleep, on the sofa; many of them with ice on my back or neck, and a cat sleeping and purring on my legs. Morning stretches are occurring multiple times a day, and I’ve added back a couple which particularly stretch my shoulder where the worst of the pain tends to settle. Daily walks, except for cleanse day and colonoscopy day, continue. The arm swings which naturally occur while walking seem to help, though I’ve moved my watch to my right hand, and my water bottle to my left temporarily.

What does all this have to do with quiet reflection, you ask? Being in pain tends to limit or completely defer any plans I’ve made to clean or lift, leaving me ample time to hang out in my head. While I might have fallen into old patterns and felt sorry for myself, I’m learning to use the time more beneficially, finding reasons for gratitude and hopefulness instead.

Focus on Hope and Gratitude

For example, I was able to get an appointment with the orthopedist for Monday so even if the physical therapist is backed up a couple of weeks like they were last time, the wait will begin much sooner. It’s also been 3 years since I needed to seek physical therapy for this issue instead of the 2-year span I’d experienced in the past. Seems the morning stretches and increased activity are helping. I was also reminded to pull out my list of anti-inflammatory, and inflammatory foods which assured me I am, for the most part leaning more towards the anti-inflammatory ones.

I get to return to my regular vitamin and supplement regime now that the cleanse is behind me, and got a clean bill of health as well. Knowing my boobies and my innards are clean and cancer-free takes a HUGE load off my mind, especially after last year’s scare. If nothing else, it means I’ll be around for awhile, all other calamities and age-related health challenges considered, to keep spending my children’s inheritance on myself and my furry kids.

Meanwhile, I continue to keep my heart and mind focused on the best possible outcomes for everything my busy mind dreams up as concerning. I know my career, and finances are due for opportunities to promote work-life balance in ways I know will surprise and excite me. My social life is already improving, but know what I’m seeing at the moment is only the tip of the iceberg.

Letting Childish Wonder Lead the Way

The key to it, I’ve learned, is to never lose my childish wonder, and to always allow the next chapter to unfold as it will, instead of to my will. That seemingly all-knowing creature, the ego, tends to act more as a roadblock than a road to opportunity because it thinks it knows what’s best for me, when in reality, it’s focus is on maintaining the status quo, and avoiding change at all cost. I know what my life requires right now is flexibility, and a readiness to embrace whatever changes the Universe throws at me.

Ego may not like the path I’m taking, much less being shoved into the proverbial closet, but it’s mucked with my life enough over the years, to no good end. I’ve learned to adapt, and so must ego. Even the things I’ve been stuck to, like maintaining my current residence, and traveling minimally may get shaken, not stirred in the next few months. While it still makes me nervous, I’m learning to be OK with whatever the Universe sees fit to change.

Sure, my stomach’s butterflies are more abundant these days, but they’re present whether I’m excited or nervous, so why not assume it’s excitement? Doing so raises my vibration which means the Laws of Attraction are bringing me more things to be excited about which is exactly what I hope for anyway!

An Attitude of Gratitude

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for pain abatement due to liberal doses of turmeric, ice, and Aleve.
2. I’m grateful for changes which will improve my life, even while annoying m ego.
3. I’m grateful for a clean bill of health.
4. I’m grateful for new experiences, friendships, and opportunities.
5. I’m grateful for friends who understand when I’m quiet for a couple of days, but know when to nudge if it goes on for too long.

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful. In her spare time, she’s also an accountant with extensive experience in Government Contracting.