My expectations have been that I would always be mobile. Two years ago, my left hip began hurting when walking more than ten minutes. This was very disappointing.
After a winter of R-Phase drills, Magic Ball contortions, M.E.L.T. routines, Tai Chi while heating clay pads in microwave, sessions with two massage therapists, sessions with one osteopath and sessions with one acupuncturist, I am able to walk for a half hour or more.
What healed me?
There is an element of mystery in the healing process; however, making space for mystery in our world is challenging.
When it comes to the body, no matter how much time or money we spend, we do not have control over the end result. We cannot solve the mystery of why some people heal and why others don't.
It feels appropriate that I am writing about disappointment and mystery on Good Friday. The Biblical story makes it clear that the disciples' expectations were dashed.
The takeaway: For me the assurance that it is human to be disappointed. I used to think that being disappointed meant I had done something wrong.
Instead, now I see disappointment as a signal to pay attention to my body and to my feelings.
Easter promises that we can always begin again. There is no promise that we will never be disappointed again.
Mystery and disappointment, feeling and healing - what has been your experience?
Believe it or not, we have more to explore about disappointment. See you next week.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
After a winter of R-Phase drills, Magic Ball contortions, M.E.L.T. routines, Tai Chi while heating clay pads in microwave, sessions with two massage therapists, sessions with one osteopath and sessions with one acupuncturist, I am able to walk for a half hour or more.
What healed me?
There is an element of mystery in the healing process; however, making space for mystery in our world is challenging.
When it comes to the body, no matter how much time or money we spend, we do not have control over the end result. We cannot solve the mystery of why some people heal and why others don't.
It feels appropriate that I am writing about disappointment and mystery on Good Friday. The Biblical story makes it clear that the disciples' expectations were dashed.
The takeaway: For me the assurance that it is human to be disappointed. I used to think that being disappointed meant I had done something wrong.
Instead, now I see disappointment as a signal to pay attention to my body and to my feelings.
Easter promises that we can always begin again. There is no promise that we will never be disappointed again.
Mystery and disappointment, feeling and healing - what has been your experience?
Believe it or not, we have more to explore about disappointment. See you next week.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
I think resilience is the flip side of disappointment or at least the tool that helps us deal with it. Like your Easter message, resilience helps us gather ourselves to deal with the disappointment, often proactively, as you did with your hip.
ReplyDeleteRekha is one of the most resilient people I have ever known, and she is my role mode for that quality.