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when i was ready...my transition from pain to pain-free
For me, the pain or the cause of pain, wasn’t something I chose. It was something unplanned. This bridge of surgery was an opportunity to get beyond that. Something I could choose…or not. Delay…or step right into. Was the pain greater than the crossing? For me...not yet.
I knew I was blessed to have the time and resources to prepare any life area that would be impacted by this bridge of opportunity. So, that next year became a bridge to that bridge. The next year became a bridge of preparation.
I didn’t know how long I would or could wait. The pain was there, but I just began walking on the bridge of preparation. Although it was minor surgery, I had to prepare. I started with my heart and mindset. Lots of prayer as I began to prepare my home, my kids, my hubby, my clients…even my volunteer positions would need adjusting. I also had to prepare my body. Yep. I know that a body best recovers, when it goes into any trauma…better. Uh-huh.
Before I knew it, almost a year had passed. And while I kept "walking" in pain, I had made it to the other side of the bridge of preparation. The pain was now greater than the crossing of the bridge of surgery. And I was ready to get out of it. It was making an even greater negative impact. I made the call, and had one more visit to the orthopedist to set things up.
While in the “holding cell” room for surgery, I had to sign a release. Here’s the kicker. One statement said that there was no guarantee that the issue would be resolved OR that it wouldn’t return.
What?? If we’re going to cross a bridge that can be a long and painful journey…we don’t want to do that again! Am I right? But…life has no guarantees, only that there will be bridges to cross.
Then I had a great conversation with the anesthesiologist. I don’t do well with anesthesia. It totally makes me sick. Like…REALLY sick. So…I have to get the “special sauce” to keep that from happening. Sometimes we need a special sauce in our process of crossing. Be aware of it. Seek help with it. Ask for it. It’s OKAY!
When I came out of surgery, in the recovery room, the doctor paid me a visit and told me that it was a bit more complicated, so it took a bit longer, but everything was fine. 🤔 It turns out that the cyst was entangled around other soft tissue, so he “had to do some digging” to get it removed. Yikes! There was no way to tell if it was always that way, or if waiting may have encouraged that. Either way…he said it would likely take longer for everything to heal. There were internal and external stitches, but it was all good.
Yeah. I was ready. But I’m not sure I was ready for…the digging. LOL Bu t sometimes, we just have to go deeper to get where we want to go. What would THAT healing look like?
The bruising was crazy, and the healing process was long. My external stitches healed much faster than the internal ones, and…the internal ones didn’t dissolve fast enough. They tried to poke through my skin! It was a long, painful process that I’ll spare you the details on. But know that the bridge of surgery had many more planks than we thought. It was a more in-depth process than expected. There was more healing involved. Tons of patience and grace needed. It was quite the journey.
When I hit the momentum marker for physical therapy, my doctor told me he had been in touch with the physical therapy facility. Told them my professional background and history. His recommendation was that I get a full evaluation, exercise prescription and demonstration, and…if they were okay with it…let me at it. I could go back for any checkups and a final evaluation for a release.
What?? Looks like I was being trusted to do the work on my own (a choice I could make), and be accountable to PT for my results.
The gist of the conversation to me was that, while the PT facility was great…he knew I’d probably take even better care of myself. In the end, yes…the decision was between me and the PT, but that was his encouragement to us. This became about, not just ability, but responsibility and accountability. And he challenged and trusted me. Something important I chose to step into.
After a LONG haul…I crossed that bridge of surgery (and recovery). I went from pain, to pain-free on all counts!
What I learned was
- I had to get ready…to be ready.
- I was able to do (and endure) more than I thought.
- My past prepared me for my future.
- I was willing to use everything about me (my full identity) …to get to pain-free.
A minor surgery turned into a big deal. Was it life-threatening? Absolutely not! But it was life-changing. I chose to see it that way. I choose to remember it that way. I choose to share it that way. Trust me…the analogies are endless! LOL
What are your takeaways from these two bridges I crossed, back-to-back? What parallels do you see in your life bridges? How can you apply your takeaways to your bridges, so you can be ready and cross…better?
Some times, it's all about the pain. Think about it. Why haven't you moved forward? Is the pain, discomfort, annoyance, or "settling for" greater than the pain of the steps toward change from:
- Carrying the extra pounds
- Not knowing your life purpose
- The unhealthy relationships
- Making poor choices
- Being surrounded by clutter
- Anxiety and the emotional drain
- Struggling in your business
- Staying at the bottom of the corporate totem pole
- An unfulfilled life
Sometimes, that's what it takes. Other times...it's just the desire and determination to live...better.
Coaches Notes:
Not every bridge that we come to has to be scary or hard. Our minds can tell us all sorts of things that create delay. But the pain of staying where we are, may need to be addressed. Sometimes it takes us awhile. Even me. I'm human. But in the end, I use key parts of my identity to walk with confidence and purpose. I know Who my guide is, my support, my momentum markers, and my success pillars. I know what I’m responsible for, and who I’m accountable to. I know it may not be easy, but it does have a purpose. It becomes part of my story. I see God in the details, and the process as a blessing. Oh my goodness!
My encouragement to you:
Whatever bridge you’re facing…mindset is huge. Prepare for the expected. Shift with the unexpected. You can be challenged AND trusted. Know what you're responsible for, and who you're accountable to. Know that every step has a purpose. Take what you learn forward. Leave any baggage behind. Keep walking! There's another bridge ahead.
If you’re standing at the edge of a possible life transition and want to ensure you’re ready for the journey, let’s talk. You don't always have to wait until the pain is so great. It can simply be...a desire to live life better.
Schedule a complimentary Bridge to Breakthrough Chat, where we’ll explore where you are, what might be ahead, how to know when you’re ready…and get there with confidence. To schedule your complimentary Chat...
Great things are ahead for you! Keep walking!
I believe:
- you were uniquely created by God
- your identity is key to everything you do in life
- you are here to make an impact...on purpose
- your impact has a ripple impact forward
- life and all of it's transitions, are best viewed from a bridge perspective
- life is better when you orchestrate it, vs trying to balance it
- you can live a healthy, whole life
- you can live a JOY-filled life
- I'm here to help
If you love this information, please leave a comment. 👏🏽🙌🏽
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