Well, it finally happened.
That sore knee I’ve been experiencing since last summer locked solid at the worst possible time. Our office was being renovated and that entailed a lot of heavy lifting, moving, cleaning and leg bending, only my leg wouldn’t bend. At all. And, oh, was it painful!
X-rays revealed nothing, so I dragged my leg, literally, to a physiotherapist. Without going into details, in an hour I was walking and bending my knee. Following his exercise instructions I am now 70% better in only 3 weeks.
The whole point of this story is not that I am stubborn, loathe going to doctors, and would like a bit of sympathy (although it is all true). I discovered something new about my favourite subject – taking action. I harp on this topic and yet am so obviously guilty of not doing it at times, or at least, not doing the right action.
There is never any absolute certainty as to what is the right action to take until after the fact. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Some things call loudly for no action, let sleeping dogs lie, as it were. I pretty much know when that happens, although sometimes I can’t stop myself.
My knee reminded me that I am guilty of assumptions and errors in judgement, and I have false, unfounded limiting beliefs. Heavy stuff. And, oh yeah, I’m just a human.
I accepted an unacceptable situation and did not take action because:
- I’m getting old
- This is normal for my age
- I am paying for all the running, cycling, ballet, gymnastics etc. I did in my youth (and all other unmentionable, but fun activities)
- I am gradually just going to totally seize up
- I’ll never be able to do physical things again
- Physiotherapists are not real doctors and can’t help me
Wrong on all counts! Turns out my ‘real’ doctor had not a clue what was wrong with me, except to suggest physiotherapy. The sports medicine Physiotherapist took one look at me, knew exactly what it was and how to fix. There was some yelling involved.
I am grateful for the painful experience.
I did not realize I had so many limiting beliefs until they were tested. Not only can I now walk, use stairs, and have graduated from the school of funny walks, but all the things I used to enjoy are once again, possibilities. Sometimes it is good to be wrong about stuff.
When I get discouraged I can read about this experience and perhaps challenge myself to discover and overcome newly revealed limiting beliefs. That is, take action.
Or not.