I twisted my knee while running a couple of weeks ago. As my father in law would say, I’ve been “stove up” since then. I’d like to report some major insight from moving more slowly for a week or two, but truth be told, I spent most of the week mad as h_ll. Mad that I had to stop running, yoga and tennis. Mad that I had to draw attention to myself by sitting around with an ice bag on my knee. Mad that my coordination had let me down, and that my body wasn’t healing fast enough.
I prize efficiency. If I’m going to the game room, I automatically try to gather up all the game room odds and ends that have drifted to the kitchen counter, dining room table and bathroom floor. When cooking for one meal, I think about what I can chop or cook today that can save time for tomorrow’s meal. Moving fast is efficient. I like to walk fast, dust fast, weed fast, and go up and down the stairs fast. Moving fast gets things done faster and burns more calories. Two for one (a twofer) is the essence of efficiency. There is nothing efficient about hobbling around with an ice bag. There is nothing efficient about taking two weeks to heal what did not appear to be a very serious injury.
After the first day of feeling mad and just at tiny bit sorry for myself, I decided to practice what I preach and try to cultivate the attitude of gratitude. Surely there was a silver lining here if I looked hard enough. As I said before, I haven’t exactly succeeded at enlightenment, but I did notice something interesting. Just sitting around is inviting. As I sat with my ever present ice bag, my family drifted in to talk with me. I set up a puzzle and we looked for pieces while we talked and my knee chilled. We didn’t talk about anything deep, but we chit chatted about life. I also noticed that when I walked slowly, one of my kids would often walk with me. I have often felt mild frustration that he always lagged behind. I figured it was intentional and was his way of being independent while driving his mom a little nuts (another twofer), but now I wonder if it isn’t also that I “leave him behind” sometimes in my rush. I firmly believe that each of my kids was given to me specifically to teach me something. I have always known that this child’s gift to me was slowness. This week of limping has reinforced this belief.
The cuts, bruises and swelling are slowly going away, and I’ll soon be back to my normal “efficient” self. My challenge now is to try to hold onto just a hint of this so called wisdom gained from a couple of weeks in the slow lane.
Image credit: D.Clow – Maryland
Hoping the knee heals quickly too! 😀
Taking it slow is so hard! I’ve found that wonderful things happen with the girls when I do slow down, though.
Hope the knee heals quickly!
Hah, can’t see you sitting still for long. Hope be now you’re back to norm.
I don’t know where else to leave this comment. I LOVED the show this past week on Surviving Infertility Without Losing Your Mind, Marriage, or Friends. (Although, somewhere else it was called Coping with the Emotions of IF???) Your guest was wise and your questions good. Keep up the good work. I like it when if you have a psychologist on you say whether they too suffered from IF. I think it gives them credibility. Thank you for all you do to give us information and support. You are one compassionate lady.
It’s so great that you’ve learned through this trying time. Sometimes I find I grow the most through those times. I pray your knee will heal quickly so you can get back to business (with a new outlook, of course!).
Happy ICLW!
I hope that you are feeling better.
ICLW
I know what you mean about wishing a bad event would make you automatically enlightened. Glad to know I’m not alone. I can definitely see your point about rushing and leaving a kid behind, and not in the literal sense. I think I do that with one of mine. I hope you are healing fast and holding on to your “lessons”.
I broke my leg last year and through numerous surgeries have lived almost 11 months in the slow lane. Welcome. It’s not such a bad place to be.
Love the shows and this blog. Keep up the wonderful work you do.
There is something to be gained by going slow sometimes. And while you think you may have chatted about nothing of import, your children may look back on that time with fond memories.
ICLW
yep, like you I don’t do so good going slow, and like you, I’m not so convinced of the so called wisdom learned. You did make me think about pulling out a puzzle to do this holiday. I love your show by the way. I listen to all of them!
I hate being in the slow lane. Much like you I am constantly thinking what else can I do to save time. Hope the knee heals quickly.
Stopping by for an ICLW visit…
No. 2: the unfair struggle (mfi, speedskating, nanowrimo)
It sounds like you got more insight than you are giving yourself credit for. Hope you finish healing soon.