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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

What Happens When You Slow Down

So, I'm on week 5 of 8 of being off on medical leave.  Still healing this broken foot of mine.  (Scroll down a few blog posts to hear the not-so-gory details of how it happened. Ha ha!)  I thought this month of being home would be nothing less than mental torture for this hyperactive (think puppy) 3rd grade teacher, who thrives on multitasking.  Why me?  Why am I the one with the broken foot? I'm always searching for the meaning behind things, and truly believe that there are life lessons involved with any circumstance.  I think I've come to the conclusion of "why me?"  What happens when you slow down?  Well, I can share what I've learned and noticed.


1.  Eating breakfast with my children each morning is a gift.  I've notice that they are eating better, telling me LOTS of stories from school, asking questions about things--silly and sweet, sharing observations about life, friendships, and more.  I get big hugs before my husband takes them to school too.  So special!!

2.  I suddenly love Sundays!  Yes, I love the peacefulness of Sundays in general.  But being stuck at home, with no school in sight on a Monday, has opened up a new world for me.  I love Sundays even more now, even into the evening hours where I used to get that anxious feeling.

3.  Eating is purposeful.  I no longer shove a banana down my throat as I'm walking out the door.  I eat when I'm hungry, and seem to actually put down food when I'm full.  That has NEVER happened to me before!  I'm not gobbling my lunch, with a bell looming in my mind.

4.  I notice light more.  As the day unfolds, I'm noticing the different shades of sunlight as they come through my house.

5.  Laundry can wait...so can most of the cleaning!  I can't do much since I'm not allowed to put any pressure on my foot.  So, the constant cleaning frenzy has come to a halt.  Guess what? It's not that bad.  That dust ball?  It can wait!  So can my son's solo sock that's been on under the table all week.  It's ok to let it go for a spell.

6.  My kids are more capable than I thought.  I really have had an iron pan hit over my head on this piece.  I used to make their lunch, fold their laundry, pack their backpacks, fill their water bottles, pick up their Legos and hair clips from around the house, and MORE.  They do it ALL now! Yep!  And they're getting better as the weeks go on.  What a great feeling to know that they are empowered now.

7.  My husband rocks!  This guy is scurrying from dawn to dusk, doing double duty.  He packs my lunch every day and leaves it near my special chair.  I wouldn't be eating otherwise, so this is a good thing. He packs me fruit and veggies, vitamins and water...all things I usually neglect to feed myself in my "old" ways.

8.  Meditation is awesome!  I signed up for the Deepak Chopra & Oprah 21 Day Meditation Challenge.  It's a 20 minute relaxation journey, with a daily focus to think about.  I look forward to it every day.  My son has started asking about it, and tries it with me sometimes.  So cool!  He's an energizer bunny like his mom, so to see him slow down and relax brings me so much relief.

9.  Make-up is optional.  I've only put it on a few times since my injury. It just isn't necessary when you're at home with a puggle all day.  He loves me as is!

10.  Baths and washing my hair are my favorite luxury. We've figured out a safe way to make this happen, thank goodness!  It's an ordeal, but I do feel like a new person when it's all done!

11. The electric carts at Target and Costco are semi-lethal.  I won't get into too much detail, but can assure you that they will need some touch up paint in their stores, STAT!

12.  There are people in the world who care.  Yep!  I knew it before, but now I'm certain!  From the Meal Train we were given by friends, to the sweet people at church who come out of their way to ask me what happened (as I sit in my wheelchair), people care.  I think I was always rushing around so much, that I might have overlooked this before.


So, in the midst of this set back, I have learned to enjoy the journey.  All of the twists and turns, sweet moments (minus the crash in Target), and kindness shown to me and my family will not be forgotten...ever.





4 comments:

  1. This is such a great post; perfect reminder to slow down. You have a positive attitude; sending you well-wishes & prayers for continued healing! Thanks for the post

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    1. Kathie--so sweet of you to read and respond. Thank so much! Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

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  2. Carol! What a great post, glad to hear you are mentally doing OK with your injury...it is so hard to slow down for some of us! What a sweet family you have, Happy Thanksgiving! Christina

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    1. Thanks you so much, Christina! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. :)

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