Does being stressed out and obtaining an injury go hand in hand? Before last week I wouldn’t have given much thought to that question but I now have some insight on this.
So, just like anyone else I have a lot going on in my life: sustaining and nurturing 2 practices, keeping up with the household duties, and planning a wedding.
My sister also had her wedding reception coming up and I was asked to emcee the occasion, my family was coming for the event so I was also planning and arranging for that along with my ‘normal’ schedule.
Lots was happening in the life of Arianne Moore.
The other day I was walking the dogs (Luna had a little friend over, Xena) and the whole time we were walking my mind was going over everything that I had to get done that morning before I even started work.
I was feeling a little overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed out thinking that I might not get it all done.
Close to the end of the walk, the unthinkable happened: I slipped on some ice and fell.
It was one of those falls where in the moment you truly can’t believe it’s happening. All of these thoughts are running through your head (OK, MY head- ’cause we all know I’m a little crazy): Am I really falling or is David Copperfield here showing us his crazy illusion tricks? Do I at least look graceful as I am flying through the air? Did I put clean underwear on like my Mom always told me to (just in case some good looking paramedics had to come and get me?). Oh & here’s the kicker- where’s the dog poop bag? Will I land on the dog bag with poop in it?
One would think that with enough time for my brain to ask those questions I could stop myself from falling, but that’s not how it works.
After I finally connected with the hard concrete I realized right away that I was hurt- and it was bad. Every time I attempted to move I almost passed out from the pain.
After several minutes of laying there I gently pushed myself up (even through this pain I was still asking my crazy brain where that damn dog poop bag was!) and started to crawl/hobble home with puppies in tow.
Thankfully, after a few x-rays I was informed that I had no fractures but a sprained ankle & knee, along with some partially torn ligaments.
I left Urgent Care on crutches and asked myself NOW WHAT? How do I work? How do I get the errands done that needed to be done? I was getting more stressed out!
The one thing that I do consistently is ask WHY? It is my belief that everything happens for a reason, and it is my job to figure out what lesson I can take away.
Whenever something undesirable happens I always want to learn from it, so that I can do better and/or understand myself or the situation better.
Due to my injury I couldn’t work, cook, vacuum, drive, cook, dust, do laundry, etc. etc. I had a lot of extra time to think about why this injury happened.
Why did I fall and hurt myself when I have so much to get done?
Oh- there’s the A-HA moment! It hit me almost as hard as my body hitting the concrete when I fell.
I always have so much to get done- just like everyone else. I am always trying to be 25 steps ahead of myself, so that my ‘To-Do’ list doesn’t get out of hand.
I thought I was SuperWoman.
Before this injury I had fleeting moments, where I felt that I should ‘slow down’ or ‘take a breath’.
I wasn’t being present… PERIOD!
…..nor was I giving myself enough time.
I didn’t take the time to listen to those feelings, and now I had nothing but time.
This injury helped me understand, or reiterate to myself that I don’t need to get everything done. I don’t have to be Superwoman and being stressed out about ‘getting it all done’ or ‘making everything look perfect’ was something that I needed to let go of.
Being stressed out is not who I am meant to Be – I am meant to live with inner peace, and tranquility. This injury was helping me find my path.
I wasn’t enjoying each step of my walk that day, or days leading up to my fall.I was too busy being distracted by the ‘To Do’ list.
I took for granted that I would be able to naturally walk… and in the next breath that luxury was taken away. Now I actually have to focus on where I plant my foot and I focus on my breath, not what 25 steps ahead will look like. I am in the present!
It’s a great metaphor for my life and a wonderful lesson that I am actually thankful for – injury and all.
PS. Get this! I DID land on the poop bag, but didn’t get any mess on me. Crisis avoided! Phew!
Calgary Canada Life Coach Arianne Moore, founder of Path of Tranquility Life Coaching for Women, helps clients worldwide.