Motivational Monday ~ Patience

Happy Monday!

This past weekend I traveled to Rhode Island to visit my family and wish my mom a happy mother's day. My mom had hip surgery on Friday and as I was talking to her about the surgery and recovery process, I was inspired to write about patience. I thought about the discussions we had had before the surgery weighing the pros and cons about when it would be the "right time" to have it. There were many reasons why to have it done immediately but she didn't want to give up doing the activities she normally does for a couple of months. I had asked her whether she wanted to postpone the surgery and do the modified version of activities she loves due to the current condition of her hip or have the surgery and in 2 months be able to do what she wants pain free. Finally, she recognized it made the more sense to get it over with and do the needed rehab in order to be back to her "normal" self as soon as possible, even if it means taking two months off.

 

I share this story with all of you because there are many times in life we hesitate or put off doing something because we want instant gratification. Rather than having to wait or put in some effort for a period of time, we give up completely. My mom was in a situation where she knew the surgery would help her in the long run but didn't want to take the time off and deal with the rehab before she could get back to her regular routine. Yet, not going through the surgery would have meant struggling with her daily activities. The fact that she could continue to do something was what she was holding onto even though surgery was inevitable. Instead of finding excuses for doing something that may be time consuming or challenging, think about the long-term effects and what's the best thing in the grand scheme of things. By no means is patience easy and the learning process can be long and brutal. Rather than moving in fast forward like we so often do in our lives, try to take it back this week. Focus on the greatness of the present moment and the small accomplishments you are achieving every second of each day. As each day passes, you are closer to your ultimate goal you are eager to achieve. Success can only be found through hard work and patience, so take this week's challenge and work on being patient in every aspect of your life, from your workouts to your conversations with friends to waiting in line at the grocery store. To ease your nerves and reduce possible frustration, focus on your breathing and take long, deep inhales and exhales.  

Get Fit For It,

D & K