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| Create your own recipe with life's ingredients. |
Change is not a process for the impatient.
~Barbara Reinhold
The fall I took this fall has been a game-changer. Literally. A child's - game - changer. And change, with the right ingredients, is the stuff of child's play. If change had the voice of your favorite children's game, it might use the following lines to lure you out:
Red Rover, Red Rover, send Mary right over, ring around the rosie or duck, duck, GOOSE.
But my favorite comes from Hide and Seek. Ready or not, here I come.
Bam. This is the voice that called to me as I fractured my tibia that October night. Change knew it was time to play and called out- ready or not, here I come.
There is no question that having a broken leg or more accurately, being dealt a broken leg in the card game of life, brought with it a host of changes. Some were challenging, some were painful, some were rich and beautiful - all were invaluable.
As an intuitive, I have an uncanny knack for spotting patterns everywhere. I see parts as whole and disparate ideas as integrated solutions. Now, when I say solution, I see it as a liquid, not a solid. The best solutions are fluid. They are mixed in life's lab and the chemicals - the ingredients come together to form a solution that is a variety of combinations, yielding different results. Many are tasty, others sour and still others - downright explosive.
As I began physical therapy in January to regain balance, strength and flexibility in my left leg, a new al-chemical solution emerged with these new ingredients. It turns out that more than my left leg was impacted during the physical therapy sessions. I have had my share of therapy during my lifetime and now I can add physical therapy to the list. Turns out, I've had years of physical therapy, I just didn't know to call it that.
What emerged during my two days a week over six weeks at the sports-medicine clinic was a list of ingredients for change. And just like the chemist working on a new experiment in the lab, adding a pinch of this and a dash of that, this experiment with a broken leg has deepen my awareness to be changed.
So, here are the ingredients I've added to my shopping list when change is ready to play.
- The path of least resistance. It is amazing how far we can go with just a little bit of stretch each day.
- Small bites. Many have heard me talk about Turtle Steps - a great metaphor and coaching tool for being gradually changed by life. Notice the way your body feels when you run too far, eat too much, sleep too long and push yourself up each and every hill. Small bites is a great ingredient for change.
- Gaining momentum. This has been so interesting to observe the physical changes as my leg has healed and to feel the ease of being stretched and strengthened with each new exercise.
- It's not what you think. This is an invitation to listen to other parts of yourself than your critical thinking. Your inner critic is not your best ally or ingredient in the change process. Using your five (dare I say six) senses is the way to grow. This is a great time to invest in some right-minded - inspired thoughts...for a change.
- Discipline is not a dirty word. Times of change bring about a sense of chaos. Let the origin of the word discipline be inspiring: become a disciple of order and regular action. Take your cues from the change at hand.
- Partner. I love the biblical quote, wherever two or more are gathered in my name. There is a great deal that can happen when we are partnered for change - great or small. It is a reminder that when change calls us out, we do not have to go it alone.
- Facing inertia and fear. Yes, like turning your face to the sun, turn and face inertia and fear. When we acknowledge and face our resistance, lean into it like those stretches I've been taught in physical therapy, we experience both stillness and movement. Facing inertia and fear paradoxically relieves it.
- Celebrate small successes. "Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music." Yes, take the time to acknowledge the changes, throw a small party, do a happy dance, rest and relax. And then go again.
As I was writing this post, I came across an article in Time magazine that underscored some of the ingredients for change I listed above. The article is about the negative effect of focusing on our carbon footprints and changing our awareness to seeing the benefits of our handprints. A brilliant and simple idea. I was particularly struck by this because I too am moved by the power that is in our hands.
The link for the article is below, but let me share with you the brilliant closing paragraph as inspiration for your own list of 'ingredients for change.' You see, when I didn't have my footing so to speak the past several months, untold resources have come into my hands.
"If we have a positive goal in mind that we can take small, manageable steps toward, we feel good - and are more likely to keep going. Step by step by hand."
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