Anger. Jealousy. Frustration.
Don’t you hate when those rear up?
I know I do. My intellect understands that I can’t be even-keeled all the time because it would mean I’m disengaged from life, but still, a woman can dream, can’t she?
The good news is I’ve learned when we’re caught up in any of these it’s best to let the emotion play out. Then, after a few deep breaths and maybe some distance, get in there. Ask some tough questions. Figure out what’s happening within you that’s triggering the response.
For example, in her book The Artist’s Way, author Julia Cameron calls jealousy a road map. Figure out why you’re green over your friend’s satisfying new job and maybe make a change that will bring you closer to that goal. Let it be an inspiration for a key shift.
This all came to mind because recently while doing exploratory research for some tours of European travel destinations on my wish list, I kept coming across stipulations like this outlining what prospective travelers must be able to do:
Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (several blocks possible) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
Be on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
Boom.
I was livid. Ugh. This was an unlikely scenario for me and my chronic leg pain. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I sat and steamed for a while. It felt like a roadblock. I despise roadblocks.
That was near the end of 2014.
The next day, with renewed motivation because I’d had it, I made a resolution to begin 2015 focused on my health. Not putting a Band-Aid on the problem but getting to the bottom of it. I live riveted to a quality life and empowering myself to do so as much as possible to make that happen.
We’re less than a month into the year and I’m in action. Physical therapy is underway. It feels good, like there’s a plan in place.
After a few sessions, the physical therapist suggested I create some goals around health. Maybe even include milestones that project out a few months or longer. Hel-lo, I’m a life coach. I’ve got this.
Heck yes.
I have already jotted down notes for goals and how I’d like to progress, where I’d like to ultimately be. Ideas range from doing yoga to taking long walks to wearing high heels to some upcoming weddings. Prior to this conversation with the physical therapist I had posted some lyrics from “Dance the Night Away” by Van Halen on my Facebook page:
A live wire, barely a beginner
But just watch that lady go
She's on fire, 'cause dancin' gets her higher than
Anything else she knows
I think it was a bit of a foreshadowing of what the rest of the day would bring. A call to movement.
Anger be gone. Put it on the list of goals.
Onward.
By Nancy Colasurdo
