Be the Bamboo

I have had a bit more time to contemplate on and think about where things are in my life and where I want them to be.  Being physically stopped in a few ways recently has a way of doing that, giving a person more time to be with their thoughts, yikes! 

For as long as I can remember I have found physical activity as a release, a way to get rid of steam, motivate and energize me.  It has given me an escape of some sorts that enables me to refocus, reground and carry on.  Getting the blood a pumping and the sweat a dripping is the place that I can find perspective that I have a hard time finding while sitting stagnant and pondering where to go and how to get there. So in this time of limitations, as I continue to try to fight the obvious, I am humbled and brought back to this quiet place. Unfortunately too much time to think has my mind racing trying to find something else that will enable me to work up that sweat and get the blood a pumping, kind of like what I can imagine an addiction would feel like. In the last almost 4 weeks now I have relentlessly tried to control and manipulate my situation, all to no avail. In this process I have found discouragement and frustration, however, I have also had the opportunity to practice patience (thank you Ms. Kohut for the gentle reminder), learn to ask for help and perhaps get a little rest on certain body parts. In the quiet I have been able to accept, to a certain degree, some things, but with that being said have used some of this quiet time to do research and experiment with different things to get back to where I want to be (yup still stubborn).  As important as it may be to be flexible and accepting at times, I believe there is a fine line between accepting and making an excuse as to why ‘I can’t’. I can honestly say this to be true for myself because I have teetered on that line, mostly in an effort to protect myself. I think being aware of this simple fact only makes me want to work a little harder to stay on the side of the line I wish to remain on. I know at this time, and many more in my life, I will need to be more flexible and accepting in order to be happy and find peace. I will need to be more like the bamboo and willow which survive by bending in the wind, changing and adjusting as life makes it necessary. Life is full of lessons; one just needs the right perspective in order to learn from them when they are presented to us.

 

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

A fall picture from one of my favorite local running places, with even a bench to rest on!

Its Come to Crawling

There seems to be little I feel I can do these days, and with that I can’t help but feel like every minute I am getting further behind.  I had these great plans and goals at the beginning of the year and have modified and changed them as needed but somehow now I feel like there is little I can change that will keep me going in a forward direction. Surgery on my hand = no hand and arm movement & no lifting, okay not great but I still have my legs and can get some extra km’s and running in.  However, it would seem that in my effort to stay moving and keep a little bit of sanity, I have over done other body parts. Intense pain on the base of one of my feet have me walking off balance and with a limp which is throwing my knees, hips and other foot all out of whack. I now find I’m going to a number of appointments and am limited in all movements that include using my feet. Fabulous! I’ve had my share of injuries and discouragement and I have always tried to find some positive, some gift and to keep some semblance of a smile but to be honest, it’s getting harder. So as I sit in my pity party, going through photos (because I don’t need my legs or both arms), I found this quote I had taken a screen shot of at some other time in my life that I must have seen as a significant note to self.

 

Well I’ve never been able to fly, not able to run right now, walking is with a limp, pain and in circles, so I guess I’ll try crawling in a slow effort to keep moving forward, at least till my knees give out!

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

I took this pic at the vet clinic this week, just cause it made me smile!

 

Vision determines our decisions

‘Vision focuses our decisions and our decisions determine our destiny’. This idea isn’t rocket science to me or a big ah ha statement but rather just a reminder. Our vision or goals, if kept at the forefront and genuinely pursued, will guide us in the decisions we make which will then determine how successful we will be. Are we setting goals with the hope of getting more but inefficiently using what we already possess? Take time for instance. Many of us say we want to have more time to _______. However, if we do not efficiently use the time we already possess, is it very realistic to believe we can somehow find more?  This has led me to examine my own life. Am I using the tools, resources, skills and opportunities available to and that I already possess to the best of my ability?  Are they in line with the goals I have set?  Better yet are my goals realistic?

A week ago I had a conversation with a dear friend as to a list of potential goals I would like to set and work towards in the near future.  Now my real motivation in sending her this list was so she could go over them, pick them apart and bring me down to earth.  I wanted and expected her to say ‘look Alana, I like what you want to do here but really girl, how realistic is this’?  My list was shooting for the stars in some respects in my own mind and I felt I needed to be brought back to reality, and I believed she was the girl to do that for me.  What I didn’t expect was her answer.  She actually refused to say anything I shot for was unrealistic and would not want to be responsible for limiting me and my potential. She is so right! What is realistic to one person is completely different to another. Some think more open minded and believe the sky is the limit, while others play more on the safe side and perhaps think too much and would rather stick to the comfortable. Our view of what is realistic can be so limiting depending on our perspective. Only we know how we feel, what we want and understand our circumstances. For this reason  I’ve found that seeking out people that I respect and trust with certain decisions I have has been of great value. Their opinions and advice have many times helped guide me in some tough decisions, not always the direction they intended or expected but was genuinely listened to and appreciated. What I have learned is that although I can listen to and see their point of view, it may not align with what I know is right for me.

Now my list of potential goals didn’t contain growing wings and learning to fly, so if asked if they are realistic, I would answer that differently now.  I'd be able to confidently say ABSOLUTELY!!!! However, there is a catch.  Beyond having that vision and setting those goals, I need to look hard at what in my life may be preventing me from accomplishing what I set out to.  What obstacles do I need to remove and am I willing to? Am I willing to put in what I need to in order to make my vision come alive?

It’s not going to happen overnight, but with each decision I make with my goals/vision in the forefront I will be put on track.  Taking one day at a time, one positive step each day with dedication and consistency will take me toward my vision, it will require some easy decisions but I also know I will need to be prepared for the tough ones.

Alana Regier                http:/alanaregier.blogspot.ca