Of Bruises and Pain

Who knew that one sprained leg and restrictive physical movement would teach me so much about myself ?  I am basically a very skeptically person. I  need physical evidence like bruises, measure temperature or hear the sneezes to empathize. Naturally it applies to me too. It is frustrating for me to understand  with my own pain. Yet a week of controlled pain - thanks to painkillers, forced rest and slowing down in my everyday activities taught me to be humble. In many ways it was a like travelling 25 years in future -giving me a glimpse of what life has in store for me in my senior years.

Handicapped parking, staircase railings, lift chairs all started to make sense and I can appreciate the advancement in technologies like motorized scooters as well. Just a minor damage to one part of my body brought me literally to me knees. It has taught to ask for help and not feel guilty about it. If I ever had any doubts about my contribution in housework, it is suffice to say within a day it was clear that I was the indispensable  union worker - the house could not function well without me. 

I am learning to accept that although the body is mine, I don't control its healing. Patience, lots of patience is the first lesson. I also have a renewed respect for my old imperfect self - I could move, walk, run, and even jump with both legs. 

The most important lesson I have learnt is that you can never plan anything. Life happens when you least expect it. You can wallow in self-pity or laugh at the situation you are in, the pain and time to heal remains the same.

So here I am learning to make the best of the situation, hobbling and complaining, at times. Grumpy and at times trying to comprehend what this is supposed to teach me. In the meantime, I will continue to work 50% of my capability without trying to feel guilty about it.