Injured by bubble wrap?? How is that even possible, that something that is supposed to protect items and is literally
bubbles of air could injure anyone.
I love bubble wrap.
It gives me great pleasure to pop those little bubbles of air. A few weeks ago, I found a good size piece of
it and had a great time stomping on all the bubbles. When I finished, I found that my leg was
hurting a bit and by nighttime it got worse. I attempted to stretch it out
before going to bed, but by morning I could barely walk. Over the course of the next few days, I found that if I
moved it hurt less. I could not run. I found if I walked the pain was still there, but it was bearable most of the time. I was forced to slow down. I was bummed because I had just started
making progress in my training and was finally able to go a faster pace. Walking was not the exercise I wanted to do,
but it was all I could do.
Being injured just sucks. Through this experience I have come to the conclusion that I am a good caregiver, but a horrible patient. I just want to magically be healed. Sadly, we have all experienced hurt, times when our hearts feel broken, we don't want to move for the pain is unbearable. During these times we have a choice to make and if we want to heal. Stand still or move forward.
Somedays, my walk started out well, I would go to far, then would get to a point where the pain was intense, and I just wanted to quit.
When just making it home was my only goal.
Others, where I had to physically remind myself to pick up my hurt leg with each step and there were days the pace was simply a very slow painful stroll. Yet I found if I did not move the pain was worse. Just like with my leg when dealing with hurt, we need to move forward even if it is only a few steps at a time. The movement will be uncomfortable and often right out painful. Know it is ok to stop on the path, rest a bit, pull yourself together, gather more courage, strength and then keep moving.
With my injury, days, turned in to weeks and I found I was noticing things I never saw before; cool mailboxes, the flowering trees (that only last a few days), cool porches and other things that now caught my attention. Things I had been missing because I had been so focused on going faster each day. I found that I started to focus on the present, find more joy, the pain started to become less and less.
Just like I found with my leg, emotional injuries cannot be magically cured. To use running terms, healing is not a sprint, it is a slow marathon of recovery. My advice, slow down, be present and look for the little things in life that bring you joy. Take care of yourself (be kind and gentle), rest when needed, but keep moving forward. Eventually, you will feel the pain lessen until one day you will look back and realize it is gone.
As I write this, my leg is still not fully healed and I am not able to run. I find myself scared to try, afraid of the pain, but if I don't try how will I know if I am healed or not? Will I let this injury stop me from enjoying popping the bubbles on bubble wrap? Of course not, and here is where the theory comes in.
"Don't let being afraid of pain stop you from pursuing your heart's desires. Yes, there is a chance it might hurt, but experiencing joy and happiness is worth that chance over and over again!"
XOXO
Tiffanee
