What Did You Expect?
Holy cow…
I took a few days off and I feel like a new person.
It only takes a few days in the woods with decent weather for me to rejuvenate.
Being out there just does it for me.
I had the pleasure to experience almost every type of weather imaginable.
Sun, rain, wind, hail, snow…
I checked the weather forecast before I left ’cause I like to be prepared.
To know what I may be up against.
Moderately warm to hot temps were expected.
So…I planned accordingly.
So much for being prepared.
Glad I brought along a few extra (critical) pieces of clothing…
Just in case.
Those few pieces saved my butt.
It was well below freezing for two days and nights.
Not expected.
Glad I was semi-prepared.
On the last day of the trip I enjoyed a glorious 7 hour hike through the woods.
A brisk morning followed by a warmer, sunny afternoon.
As I was hiking through the woods I thought about all the weather changes I experienced and how I was forced to adapt to those changes.
Those weather changes weren’t expected and there was no getting around them, so I did what I needed to do and kept on truckin’.
Did my fingers and toes get a little icy?
Yep.
Did I feel like staying in my warm sleeping bag instead of getting up and getting the day started?
Yep.
Did I feel like calling it a day earlier than I really wanted when the wind howled and pushed a cold rush of air through my bones while blowing dust in my eyes?
Yep.
Did I let any of those things detour my plans?
Nope.
Am I glad I kept working with what Mother Nature gave me?
You bet.
So what’s going on in your life that’s keeping you bound?
If I had to guess, I’d say one of the things is knee pain.
It’s very easy to develop tunnel vision when the unexpected happens.
Becoming so focused on the thing that seems to be unexpectedly screaming in your face blurs your perspective and consumes your being.
Eliminates potential possibility.
That makes it very easy for denial to creep in followed by self defeating behavior.
As the focus and vision narrows, the list of “negatives”, “I can’ts” and “why me’s” takes hold.
The noose gets tighter.
If you’ve been on this site for long, I feel like you can expect to hear the truth from me.
I call ‘em like I see ‘em.
If you’re new, expect to read the words that you would hear if you were standing right in front of me having this same conversation.
The precise words.
Here’s what would have happened if I had let the elements keep me bound:
Restlessness would have set in.
Regret.
Irritation.
Lashing out at anyone or thing that poked that irritation innocently.
If that poking came from a person maybe they’d question my actions.
Maybe I’d get defensive in the moment before realizing the true nature of the beast that was causing the frustration.
More irritation with confrontation.
Maybe I’d vent against the innocent.
I would like to think I’d have it figured out before taking it this far.
One thing is for certain regardless, I’d be pissed off and pissy for the rest of the day.
All because I let the unexpected turn me upside down.
All because I allowed myself to develop tunnel vision with the focus narrowed on that which I perceived to be going against me.
So how does one realize what’s happening in the moment?
That’s the hardest part.
My suggestion would be to take note when emotions surface.
Then take inventory of what may be causing those emotions to surface.
It’s rarely the fault, the actions or words of the person or thing you are reacting to.
It is how you react to them.
Why you react to them.
That is what will shape the outcome.
So when you think of your own knee pain…
Don’t react.
Don’t slip into denial.
Don’t allow yourself to be bound.
Open your vision and perspective to the possibilities.
Ask yourself these questions:
How can I work with what I have?
How can I work around the pain?
What can I salvage and learn from this experience?
Rather than reacting, what actions can I take to move forward?
And, is what I perceive really reality?
Or am I compounding reality with other aggravations and fears?
I know it’s quite a lot to think about.
And yes, it takes some thought and effort to figure out.
But, isn’t that better and more satisfying when you know you have options rather than allowing yourself to be bound?
When the unexpected shows up how will you act?
Or will you react?
Choice is yours.
Here’s to perspective and another awesome Labor Day weekend in the books.
Until next time…
Get strong and stay strong(and conscious),
Rochelle Gravance
PS- Did you find this blog post helpful or inspiring? Is this the kind of stuff you like hearing about? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Give ‘em to me in the comments section below. And thanks for being honest.
