Daily Gratitude: “There is no better teacher than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”

It’s interesting that if you look around you, you can find messages and lessons about whatever situation you’re going through.

Such is the case with me right now. To be fair though it’s always been like that for me. However I haven’t always had my eyes open enough to see what the universe has been shoving in my face.

My eyes are open now for sure. It turns out that I have one if not two compression fractures in my thoracic vertebra – my mid back.

I am grateful that I had the wisdom to drop from the race because who knows how much worse they might Have gotten. That doesn’t help me not feel like a wimp though.

Right now adversity is staring me in the face. But i have to listen to my own messages and see how I can make this seemingly big obstacle just like the speed bumps in my neighborhood.

First of all i need to define the problem and issues. And to make it. Less oppressive it’s wise to limit the scope. In the past I would already be having myself in a nursing home in constant pain for the rest of my life. But that does no good at all. The primary issue right now is to do whatever I’m told in order to heal. Fortunately my tens unit is doing its job right now.

Second is to put everything in its proper perspective and designate a compartment for each question or issue. It’s essential that I realize I cannot predict the future. I could spend so much time on that and all it would do is to mess up my nervous system.

Sure I’ve been wondering what this will do to my love for ultra walking and maybe walking in general. The way I’m dealing with this is to remind myself I am strong and people have overcome much worse problems Than this. Then I am doing my best to put any fear about it in a box. I can also use my love for and desire to walk as motivation as long as I’m willing to just wait and see without hanging too many hopes to that one thing.

Third is to figure out everything else I can do given my present condition.

For the last 8 days I haven’t done much. I’ve done the daily calls and the daily gratitudes I write and some reading. But mostly I’ve slept or just played games. In the past I would have criticized myself for this but i know i have needed this down time and it’s ok. That’s a big but essential change for me.

It’s key to take everything gradually and not rush anything.

When it’s time I will work on my writing and some gentle exercises once I’m cleared to do that.

Fourth is to spend a lot of time calming my nervous system with meditation and journaling as well as keeping myself from thinking about the future.

And fifth for me anyway is to pay attention to my parts. Why? Because they are frightened and predicting the worst. I need to reassure them and make them a part of the process. I was surprised yesterday when I was doing an IFS Meditaroin when I found 6 new parts that immediately came forth expressing concerns about our situation. I was surprised but happy because this gives me plenty to work with. That will help with all of the previous steps.

This has been about me but it’s methods I recommend for anyone facing adversity. I know this will make me a better person and it can work for you too.