Knocked Off Your Feet?

Today is one of those days.  A series of unexpected circumstances and challenges accumulated and left me feeling knocked off my feet.  A temptation to stop pushing toward the prize whispered in my ear in the wee hours of the morning. 

What "should" I do?

What would you do? 

What have others done?

I'm not unique when it comes to encountering interesting, irritable  and sometimes life altering challenges.  The truth is, regardless of our circumstances we get to choose how we respond which will ultimately influence our recovery. 

I read an inspiring story this morning I want to share with you.  We learn from the courage and stories of others.   

Liu Yan, known as China's top classical dancer,  was to dance a solo entitled "Silk Road" in the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  However, we didn't see her in the opening ceremony, and chances are this is the first time you have heard her name.  She fell practicing twelve days prior to the performance and she was paralyzed from the waist down.  She never took front and center on the Olympic stage.

That's what I call a life altering challenge! 

A few quotes from the story that reveal the heart and soul of Liu Yan. 

"I am injured and it is a fact that cannot be changed. But I believe I will keep dancing or at least doing work related to that, because that is what I love."

She "believes" in her future.  When we are knocked down, it is imperative we believe in our future.  Our recovery and our future begins with our beliefs.

 

"spends most of her time recovering in the hospital, exercising her legs to help develop her muscles. She said she feels much better now but it is still tough."

Liu "exercises" her legs.  She is diligently working on behalf of her future.  She hasn't retreated nor withdrawn.  If we have been knocked off our feet, we must make a concerted effort toward our own renewal.   This requires discipline, courage and willingness to be imperfect. 

"Human hearts are made of flesh; it is not one flat surface. The important thing is how you adjust yourself."

I believe she is recognizing her own emotional pain over the loss.  Our hearts are not hard, they are fleshy and soft, they get wounded.  Knocked off your feet lately?  Don't brush off the pain.  Feel the loss, cry, get angry, grieve.  Just don't hold it in, deny it, bury it.  Experience it and then make adjustments.  Ask yourself "What now?"

"For example, going back home and staying overnight, going out with friends for dinner, even going to see a show, a movie, drink coffee, drink Champagne, going back to classes."

When knocked off your feet, muster all the energy you can and do normal life which includes routine, celebration, work and play.  Those activities will give you reason to go forward day after day.  We call this taking "turtle steps."  They provide a framework for getting out of bed, putting on your clothes, connecting with friends and staying rooted in the vital force of life.

"Liu does not blame anyone for the accident, saying that in big events, "accidents happen."

Don't play the "blame game."  Wasted energy defined.  We gain nothing by blaming someone else.  The "someone else" won't come back around to get us back on our feet. 

"Healthy dancers practice every day, I will do the same. This is how I am different from other patients — I believe that I will recover when I do my exercise. I will live with hope."

If you want to get back on your feet, do what you love to do and do it everyday, believing you will get better.   Infuse it with A HOPE that delivers future rewards. 

Thanks to Liu Yan, I'm putting on my sneakers and taking in the fresh, beautiful, sunny day with renewed purpose and hope.