Honoring This Journey

I recognize how much life is this journey— of twists and turns, ups and downs. There really is no going backwards, only moving forward.

5.15.15. This date will forever be etched in my mind. Five years ago I was in a serious bike accident and it changed my life in so many ways. My life came to a screeching halt. Everything I knew before was completely different. My brain and body were bruised in serious ways and I had to go through the process of recovery and rehabilitation.

It was painful. I couldn’t remember a lot of things, I couldn’t even cook for myself. I was dizzy most days and couldn’t walk down stairs without gripping onto the stairwell railing. Before this happened, I had everything going for me. I had just started teaching yoga and was rebuilding my life after a break-up. Now I was heartbroken in another way. 

As I went through this process of recovery, there were days I wondered if life would ever go back to how it was. I mourned the loss of the life I had before this happened and wondered what my new future would be like. I went through so many emotions— anger, sadness, confusion, uncertainty, hope, fear, possibility. 

In those small moments of hope and possibility, I found new ways to be and discover within myself. I took a deep dive into meditation, I taught myself how to watercolor paint, and I truly learned the art of slowing down and stillness. Little by little I built my life back up again. But there were many days I felt like I was going 5 steps back instead of 2 steps forward. 

As I reflect on this life-averssary, I recognize how much life is this journey— of twists and turns, ups and downs. There really is no going backwards, only moving forward. We think one obstacle totally ruins everything, and yet it creates a new doorway to something we never knew was possible. 

As we are all in this time of great challenge, I hope you’ve had a chance to discover what is possible for yourself. What is something new you’ve learned about yourself in this time?