A: I am sorry to hear about your injury. I will share with you how I move through tough times. But first you will need to get out your journal or a piece of paper.
First, I like to take what is happening in my life and put it in two categories: circumstance (what happens) and choice (what we can do to move through it).
For example:
The circumstance is - you broke your foot, you may need surgery and right now you can’t skate.
The Choices are: A) Be upset/angry
B) Give up on your love of skating
C) Be patient- allowing yourself to heal and keep imagining your body strong and healthy. (You can come up with other choices, these are just examples.)
We may not like our choices but we always have them.
At first we usually pick choice A and that’s okay for a short time - long term that choice will only hold you back from moving forward.
Although this situation is sad and frustrating for you, the only way to move through this experience and become stronger is to focus on your healing and find the gifts.
'Gifts?’ you say. ‘How can I possibly find anything good out of this terrible circumstance?'
I know, at first it seems impossible, but there are always gifts if we look hard enough.
This is the second part of my process that I call 'Finding the Gifts'.
For example:
· Maybe since it happened you have had more time to spend with family
· Maybe your family has shown you a lot of love and compassion since your injury.
· Maybe you have found other activities that you enjoy.
Take time, look hard and write down all the gifts you have received from this circumstance.
I know it is easy to get caught up in the negative. Choose to focus on the positive. When you change your focus, you change your world!
We can't always choose the circumstance but we can always choose our reaction.
‘I know what I am made of and I will push through.’ lyrics from my song ‘Push Through’
Until next time...
This has been 'my voice' but I respect this is your life - this is 'your choice'
Keep reaching out until someone listens.
