Is change making your irritable, restless and discontent?

How do you handle change? Do you readily adjust or do you resist?

I’m sure most of us would like to think we handle change just fine. We may think we take it all in stride until we find ourselves in the space of frustration for no apparent reason – other than the fact we are not taking it all in stride.

I had just such an experience over the last few days. A little over a week ago I broke my ankle while training for a marathon. Immediately I knew there would be no marathon in October and my activity level would be different for a while.

Although a very painful situation physically, I was convinced I could handle the emotional side of the sudden change; a change that literally stopped me in my tracks.

For the first few days I was very accepting of what happened. I thought, “This is a breeze.”

However, I wasn’t keeping up on routines that have become a very important part of my life; routines that keep me in a very balanced, grateful, peaceful, joyful and productive state of mind.

Here’s just a glimpse into what I do. Daily I pray and meditate first thing in the morning. Since the accident, this has not been the case. It got pretty sporadic.

Although I know anytime I pray and meditate is a good time, I had become very accustomed and found great comfort in my morning routine.

It didn’t take more than a few days for me to feel a bit out of sorts. Amazingly, I didn’t equate the lack of my morning ritual with feelings of being irritable, restless and discontent.

I figured things would somehow work themselves out. By Friday, I had had enough of “this experience is your signal to slow down.” Convinced I could handle a full day of hopping around on one leg with the sporadic use of my crutches, doing business as usual, and avoiding any focus on the increasing pain I was feeling, I decided to tough it out.

Here’s what toughing it out got me… flat on my back, leg elevated and thinking how unfair this is.

Whoa! That’s a red flag. Life IS often unfair. That’s not the issue for me. The issue for me is how I handle it.

Another issue is, “Am I using the tools available to me to get from the mindset of “life is unfair” to “okay, this happened? What do I need to do so I can move in the space of acceptance, serenity and joy?”

As I was preparing for yet another day on the couch my glance fell upon a James Twyman CD. I find great solace in his music. My two favorite CDs are The Moses Code and 12 Prayers.

Within moments of hearing James’ voice I felt a wave of relief cover me like a warm blanket on a cold winter day.

The next thing my eyes rested upon were Angel Love Cards my dear friend, Kimberly Marooney, is the author and creator of. These are very special cards with each holding a special message. On many occasion the cards have brought me comfort and insight.

The cards can be used a number of ways including selecting one or two cards to receive a message. The two cards I selected were Action and Grace. I was perplexed. Here I am unable to take many types of actions I had taken for granted and I get Action.

Obviously there was a mistake. But when I read the passage that corresponds to the card there was no mistake. It is all in divine order.

What the card Action indicates is change, transformation, and shift.

The card Grace is equally important. Grace is a simple reminder that I am loved unconditionally. It was also a reminder that I have let some of the most important practices of my day slip by the wayside.

Whether I want to acknowledge it or not, my life is in transition. But then, whose life isn’t.

I believe we are in more transition today than ever before. We are also in more of a position to embrace the transition if we choose. However, in order to embrace the shifts that are inevitable it is essential to use those tools available to us.

These are the tools that cost us nothing, yet hold such immense power.

Mine happen to be prayer, meditation, special music, books that uplift and quiet time to connect with my maker. Simple as that.

Another thing that quickly shifts my perception is to find a way to be in service to others. When we get out of self it’s amazing how our awareness changes.

What are your tools? Are you using them to their greatest benefit? If you know they can comfort you, why would you not use them?

If you’re like me, at times you simply forget. Now is the time to remember.

Comments

[Shannon Buckley]

My tools are daily meditation and several Comfort Clocks to deal with all the electronics around me.

[~ Nona]

Wonderful thoughts!

I had a car accident in '07. Totalled the car and fractured one of my tibial plateaus (I had never even know that I had two!).

An operation and hospitalization was followed by a long convalescence at home. In fact, the time home in bed was a rewarding period, but you're right: It took a while to get my moorings and figure out how to take advantage of the reality that I was going to be bedridden for weeks. In many ways, it was an opportunity, a lot of which I wasted until I realized that, indeed, the accident was one part misery and many parts opportunity. I now recognize how supportive and helpful routines are AND, just as important, how to find a way to pivot when life throws a curve ball.

[Kathleen Gage]

It is amazing how we can be given the gift of time and it takes time to realize this. Thanks for your post Nona.

[Margarita]

Dear Kathleen, your post on change is very inspirational. I have been going through this "phase" for some years now. For example, it took me 48 years to make up my mind to start working out. It has been 4 years now and it feels good. I bought your report about making the first $100 and it was life changing for me. I enjoyed the webinar - I listened to it 3 times already while on the treadmill. I noticed that change can provoke something from inside to happen. For example, your training for the maraton is something new for your "inner child" or subconscious mind. So, it finds it's way to be in charge. You end up with broken ankle. (In my case it was series of back pain attacks). We don't have to give up. Just gently, with love, we must convince our subconscious mind that it is OK. Now I am going through another back pain adventure because of my writing my own report and getting it on my first website. My point is that change comes with resistance. We just watch with quriosity and act with love. My best wishes for your recovery.