I heard Dr. Paul Jenkins ask the question, “What kind of people get into car accidents?” The answer is, “People who get into cars.” Let’s say that you’re a perfect driver, never violating a single traffic rule. Does that mean you’ll never be involved in an accident? Of course not. The road is full of imperfect drivers, putting you at risk of being involved in an accident even if you were a perfect driver.
The point is that life will throw you curve balls; things that we didn’t ask for, that we couldn’t reasonably predict.
For example, when I created a new image of fitness for myself, I never made allowances for broken bones. Yes, I broke a bone last week!
When the X-rays conformed what I suspected, I had a choice. I could choose the role of the victim and ask, “Why me?” I could also choose the role of the hero and turn the question around, “Why not me?”
Isn’t that an interesting question? Why not you? Why not me? I’m just as qualified to be injured as any other human on the planet.
Another perspective correction that I’ve had is in judging whether an event is “good” or “bad”. Was breaking the bone a good thing or a bad thing? I would suggest that the event is neither good nor bad. I just is. It’s an event that happened in the universe, devoid of any moral “good” or “bad”. Now, was it undesirable? Unwanted? Unanticipated? Absolutely! Did it increase the amount of bother, pain, suffering, aggravation, etc. in my life? Oh, you bet your bottom!
…but was it bad? That’s a contextual call based on moral judgement. I can’t put the label “bad” on it anymore than I can put the label “good” on receiving an unexpected $10,000. The event would be thrilling, desirable, etc. but not necessarily “good” or “bad” in and of itself. My decisions in the face of disappointment determine everything. I can make wise decisions… or not. That’s the important part of the whole equation, not whether an undesirable event happened.
Anyhow, that’s some food for thought. It’s occupied my mind from time to time during the last week.
What did I do when I got broadsided by this? Like anybody else that gets through unpleasant events, I allowed five minutes of self-pity, then looked where I was, then where I’m going, and plotted a new course.
This is a critical time for the subconscious programming to help move you along. You’re in a place that you don’t want to be. It wants to get to the new vision of fitness that you’ve built up. Relax and let the creative juices flow. Start writing down ideas if you need to.
So, how has it affected my routine? I have missed some days of exercise. Because of this, I chose to take more care about my eating than usual. The break being located in my big toe — essential for foot use — walking and martial arts are out for right now.
Fortunately, my trike has “clipless” pedals, meaning that I use special biking shoes that snap onto the pedals at the ball of the foot. This bypasses the toe area completely, allowing me to ride without affecting the injury. (You can see a picture of my shoes and pedals below.) I’ve ridden twice since the injury.
If I didn’t have this option, I’d find something else. The important part is keep moving forward, even if it’s an inch at a time.
Status: 29 pounds lighter
[...] forgiveness overlaps heavily with the Zen notion of unattachment. Events happen. Choices are made. Unexpected curve balls hit us in the head. Forgiveness is about acknowledging these things but not allowing ourselves to get [...]
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Hello, linda A. derected me to you! Good for you! I am glad your attitude to strong! Keep it up!
vanessa h.
Warning!!!
Clipless pedals are very dangerous.
I’ve been riding bicycles continuously since I was 5. Have even commuted to work year-round in suburb north of NYC, Had been using Shimno clipless pedals for about 10 years and had several occasions when I couldn’t release from the pedal and dumped over. The last time, at age 58, caused my right hip to fracture. I needed 2 surgeries and 6 months of rehab. After the accident I found out about two other cyclists who suffered hip fractures because they couldn’t release from their pedals.
Needless to say I took them off my Trek and will never use them again.
The Pain was not worth the gain.
Vic! Ouch! I’m so sorry to hear about that!
I agree that clipless pedals on bicycles can be dangerous. During every event that I’ve attended, I’ve seen people fall over and become injured because they couldn’t unclip.
The broken bone that I mentioned was a freak accident unrelated to cycling. A person stepped on my toe… and crack! So bizarre. So, as the title of this post… life throws unexpected curve balls.
I personally ride a trike and thus don’t have the falling over problem. At rest, or going slow, or going fast… it’s all good with three wheels.