I tend to go fast, get a lot done, and do a lot myself. I am aware of this, and while it mostly serves me, it also is something I’m consciously working on. I know that it’s fun to operate like this, and also, being mindful, resting, and moving through the world in a grounded way is so important.
I recently tripped over a small wiener dog that I was taking care of for my sister. I was getting ready to go out of town, packing up the car by myself, and he ran out into the garage, 
and I tripped over him and twisted my foot in a painful way.
This particular dog is also a spiritual teacher for me. He is stubborn, he pees on the couch if I try to get him off of it, or on my kitchen floor if I make him go on the grass outside instead of my pretty flowers. He humps my daughter, and is very needy, always way too pushy for love and affection of any sort, a fear-based vibration that doesn’t align with mine.
He is also a soul, trying his best in the world to get his needs met. So, I work on forgiveness and love for him, even though it is hard sometimes.
So, the fact that I tripped over this dog, and I don’t remember the last time I have had any kind of injury, and that this is slowing me down, and preventing my daily forest energy recharge walks, is definitely an opportunity to practice spiritually.
It has been two weeks now since “the incident”. I pushed it way too hard the first week, having fun, walking in the forest, etc. Then I experienced a lot of pain, put it up for a few days, went to the doctor and was told to stay off of it for a while at least.
This little foot injury is an opportunity for growth in so many ways:
- Forgiving sweet little Lucas, the wiener dog
- Finding new ways to move my body, ground my energy, and experience nature when I’m not able to walk in the forest
- Learning to be more flexible from my normal routine
- Slowing down in my life overall, cutting down on being too active and busy and resting more
- Asking for help for things I am not able to do right now
Situations in our lives that are annoying or inconvenient are always also opportunities for spiritual growth if we can look at them that way. Here are some ways to practice:
1. Nurture and Validate Your Feelings First:
It’s impossible to move to looking for the lesson if our body is activated by fear and pain.
Take the time you need to take care of yourself like you would anyone else that you love and is important to you.
Rest, take medicine, get support, and validate your feelings of fear, pain, frustration, etc.. It’s normal and ok to feel this way.
Instead of: “Why am I so upset about this little injury?”
Try: “It makes sense that this is scary and upsetting, I’m going to take care of myself
until I feel better.”
2. Create Awareness of Low Vibration Thoughts:
It’s so easy to sink into the normal victim consciousness that many feel after an injury or other setback.
Once you have nurtured yourself, remind yourself that keeping your vibe high by looking for the lesson also helps you heal more quickly.
Instead of: “I can’t wait to feel better, this is awful!”
Try: “I trust that healing is happening, and my entire being is one with the universe.”
3. Be Flexible:
Frustration can happen if we have a hard time letting go of control.
Disruptions in our normal routines allow us to practice surrendering and being flexible, always important things to practice.
Instead of: “I’m so frustrated I can’t go to the gym!”
Try: “I’m going to find new ways to keep my energy high”
4. Look for the Lesson:
The universe is always looking for ways to help us expand our awareness and evolve to our highest potential.
If a person (me:) is rushing around too much and needs to sit her booty down and rest and ask for help, the universe will create an opportunity for that to happen.
Instead of: “Ugh, why do these things always happen to me?”
Try: “I’m going to do my best to allow this experience to help me expand my
consciousness”
I’m so grateful to have already found insights about how this injury is helping me to expand, and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn about myself through this process.
