Lessons Learned

So, I had the “pleasure” of spending the last two months mostly, well, sitting.  Having been in a pretty rough car accident at November’s beginning, I spent the remainder of November and all of December recovering from some pretty painful injuries.  I must say that spending that much time “doing nothing” was quite a challenge for me, at least once the worst pain was over and my brain started functioning somewhat normally again.

What a challenge it is to “sit”.  As one who practices yoga and meditation, I am very aware of the extreme difficulty of just “sitting” with the practice, allowing the mind to become still and the body and spirit to benefit from that stillness.  One of the reasons that I understand so completely the hard work of just “being” is that in my real life I am anything but still.  I am the quintessential multi-tasker, having taken on many, many roles and challenges over the last three or four decades in addition to working and parenting three (now adult) children.  I am not one to spend time in front of the television or dvd player (though I do love theatre and movies).  I am not one who chooses to sit in the shade in the summer or indoors in these cold winters, but rather opts for gardening, walking, cross-country skiing, riding a bike or sailing under the changing skies of our Midwest climate.  And while I love to read, it’s one of those things that gets done, mostly, in the early morning with my coffee or late at night, just before I drift off to sleep.  Sitting is not my thing.

Suffice to say, I have learned some grace and earned some wisdom in these two months of stillness and healing. 

Lesson One:  I own no chair, sofa or cushion that really, truly, is comfortable for the long haul.  Can’t decide it that’s a design flaw issue or a flaw in my choice of furniture.  I suspect it's a little of both.  And you know, those cultures who choose not to use furniture but rely on their own bodies for resting, might just be on to something.

Lesson Two:  Goodness exists everywhere.  I was continually astonished at the well wishes, the prayers, the food and fellowship that came from seemingly everywhere in my community.  It was humbling to say the least, and gratifying as well.

Lesson Three:  My family is amazing.  Let me repeat that:  MY FAMILY IS AMAZING.  Husband and kids, sibs, in-laws, what a bunch of kind, caring supportive troopers.

"primary food" the gift of orchids

Lesson Four: There is no substitute for good friends.  You know, the ones who show up at the hospital, the ones who tend to your sorry self when you are anything but gracious and kind.  The ones who feed you, not just edibles, but also real, true soul food, or as my educators at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition define it, “primary food”.  I cannot imagine life without the nourishment of the wonderful women and men who Iove me, and I them.  

Lesson Five:  I rage frequently about the state of our nation’s health care system but I gotta tell ya, I’ve had great care from skilled medical professionals, even if I’m wincing at the bills coming in.  And I am certainly learning the value of Physical Therapy!

Lesson Six:  I have learned on a very physical level, that my yoga practice is key to my health.  I’ve long appreciated what yoga does for me mentally, but I know that my ability to deal with my injuries, and my subsequent healing, was greatly improved by the body strength and mental strength that existed prior to the accident. 

Lesson Seven:  BMW’s are tough vehicles – I’m convinced my 525 saved my life twice.  That car was a beauty and a dream to drive, but it’ll no longer take swiftly to any road.  So sad that my relationship with my favorite car ever had to end in this most unfitting way.  

being held captive at the county yard. . . .sigh

Lesson Eight:  The body is a miraculous thing.  Amazing how healing happens, how the body mends itself – OK, I admit I gave it time, attention and some minimal medication – but truly, the design of this miraculous hulk of bone, tissue, organs, blood, fluids is incomparable to anything we humans might contrive.  Humans, indeed, create the possibility for improving on the body and for fixing what ails it, but let’s face it, there’s some power out there a whole lot greater than all of us that came up with this amazing design.

‘nuff said.   


Namaste ~