I’ve been a bit of a Cleopatra (Queen of Denial) as my hip flexor pain got worse. I ignored my body’s cries for attention and hoped the pain would go away, without addressing the root cause.

But the mindbody/bodymind wants to be heard and because I refused to listen, the pain got increasingly worse until I was unable to stand. Combined with other muscle and joint issues I assigned to being peri-menopausal, I felt I was falling apart. Foreboding ‘what if…?’ thunderclouds rumbled overhead: What if this pain is forever?

Buddhist thought posits pain is temporary and suffering is optional. Not being one to rest on my laurels (don’t know where my laurels are to be honest, but I decided I wasn’t going to rest on them!) I affirmed I wasn’t going to cause myself further suffering, but rather see the grace and possibilities in all of life’s exquisite (and sometimes excruciating) challenges, including this one!

I had previously thought I was grateful for my functioning body, but only when my leg was completely out of action did I realise quite how much my legs did for me.

Those robust limbs that help me stride everywhere and carry the massive weight of my torso and backpack did not get nearly enough credit for their role in my active life.

I couldn’t even make my way to work. Fortunately, I am very privileged that my coaching work can be done remotely. Some folks simply don’t have that luxury.

A colleague mentioned the Kübler-Ross change curve in a conversation about grief and this resonated with my healing journey.

At first I was in denial, then I was angry and frustrated this was stopping me moving forward with my goals, because I am a very energetic and physically active person. However, as soon as I accepted the situation, I was able to take positive action to heal to metaphorically and physically move forward!

…or this is another version I can relate to, as I went through phases of hostility – which reminds me of an EE Cummings quote I paraphrase here:

I’m going to live my life, even if it kills me! 😀

With impending annual leave and not being able to walk in nature, which is one of my most favourite leisure pursuits, I stubbornly refused to give in to my pity party and ‘waste’ my annual leave by having a superb staycation instead.

I erected a tent in the garden and spent one night outdoors. Then another evening… and another one. I actually enjoyed the camping experience more than I thought I would and spent 32 nights in a tent in my garden with no intention of returning to my bedroom in a hurry!

I didn’t have to travel to seek out adventure. I turned my, “Yes, but I can’t enjoy my holiday because I’m in pain and can’t walk, right now” into “Yes, I am in pain and will still do what I can to enjoy myself (without causing further harm, of course)”.

My adventure was right under my nose and my neurons loved the novelty of the experience. When I shared stories of my garden camping adventures, others said they were inspired to take tiny adventures of their own 🙂 and make the mundane more magical.

I also inspired myself to carry out more mini adventures just for the fun of it 😀

Someone else who inspires me is Beau Miles. I love his sense of everyday adventure, too. You can check out Beau’s videos on https://www.youtube.com/@BeauMiles

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

Marcel Proust

How can you turn your “Yes, but…” (excuse) into a “Yes, and..!” (experience)?

What one tiny thing can you do today to approach life with fresh, new eyes?

Onwards and Adventurewards

xXx