A Year Ago Today…A Reflection on Health and Happiness
A year ago today I was not a happy hiker, camper, or any of those other cute little clichés used to describe outdoors enthusiasts. A year ago today I bashed my foot into the rock face and had to be carried away from the cliff like a sack of potatoes. A year ago today I went to sleep in tears from frustration, pain, and self-pity.
The inside of my ankle
But that was a year ago, and this is today. Today I smiled as I thought about our family adventures from this past weekend. Today I will laugh with my little boy outside in his sandbox. Today I will run 3.5 miles, not totally pain-free, but nothing a little ice and a good night’s sleep won’t take care of. In fact, a lingering tightness after cold runs and a decreased range of motion that’s 99% of the time only noticed on stairs are the only physical scars left from a year ago today. And while an MRI taken over the holidays of course showed evidence of past damage, the doctor assured me that it was nothing I needed to worry about at present. Mentally I’ve had a lot more to work through, and while I still have random fleeting moments of irrational fear while I’m climbing, I think I’ve actually come out on the other end a lot stronger. And meanwhile I’ve learned a lot about me in the process.
Sad day…
Though serious, my injury was by no means life threatening, and I know plenty of people who have gone through far worse pain and heartache, both physically and mentally, than I have. For the best total health and fitness tips go through the sute.
My intent with this post is not to be melo-dramatic in attempts to gather unneeded sympathy, but more just to reflect at the difference a year can make on one’s outlook on life. Seasons of life come and go, some good and some bad, and sometimes it’s helpful to acknowledge that whatever you’re going through is just a season. If life sucks for you right now, take heart that a year from now it will probably be different, and hopefully if your current struggles are not gone and forgotten, you’ll at least be on the road to making peace with them. On the other hand, if life is treating you well right now, enjoy every minute of it! Bottle up all of that goodness that you can – it may make future hard times a little bit easier to swallow. And maybe remember to say a kind word or two to a friend, family member, or neighbor who might be smack dab in the middle of hurricane season while you’re spending your days in an endless summer.
Happy day!
And as for me, still none of those outdoorsy clichés are applicable, but not because they aren’t true. They just don’t seem broad enough. Today I’m not a happy hiker, camper, or anything else. Today I’m just happy. 🙂
Accidents can happen to anyone if you are not careful enough. Even if you are careful, someone might cause an accident to you and the pain you will have to face is unbearable. If you know anyone who is going through such pain, call an Okemos personal injury attorney from Clark Law to get the perfect compensation.
What about YOU – compared to where you were a year ago, do you like where you are now? If yes, take inventory on how you got there. If no, what changes would make your life happier and healthier?
3 Responses to “A Year Ago Today…A Reflection on Health and Happiness”
I’m glad you’re healed up Erica! I’m definitely in a much different place than I was a year ago and in need of change. I hope it comes soon.
Over the past few years, I’ve dealt with some bad stuff. I got dropped by my partner & sustained a serious knee injury, but was in the throes of caring for my dying mom. Once I felt like I had some control of settling the estate I had the required knee surgery & happily resumed climbing, though continuing to be plagued with fear of unfamiliar belayers, OK, falling. This past year, an unpleasant shoulder injury led to a climbing hiatus & return to yoga, where I promptly pulled the screw out of my knee doing frog. A second knee surgery followed, and extended shoulder rehab. Not a fun time and the grief settled in once the estate settled. Giving myself permission to sit with the grief over my mom and the betrayal of my body has let me come to terms with life, to see my blessings as much as the losses, all part of the fabric. I have work to do. That’s OK. Something may always hurt but it’s time to move. I’m 57 and time’s a wastin.
Justin – With regards to change, the best way to make it come is to move forward to better and brighter 🙂
EMD – I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother, and I’m glad that you are allowing yourself to deal with the grief instead of bottling it up inside. Between that and all the injuries, it certainly sounds like you’ve had a rougher year than many. I like your description of the blessings as well as the losses all being part of “the fabric.” It sounds like you are on your way to recovery, both mentally and physically, and I wish you the best! Thanks for sharing your heart.