The physical therapist reminds me to relax, to take a deep breath in and relax my body on the exhale and magically my arm stretches easier and farther and with less pain.

Right before I was tense and fighting against the pain in the stretch. He was gently pushing my arm, gently working it, but I was resisting the motion that would help me.

It’s not surprising I’m avoiding the stretch, it hurts a lot!

But, avoiding using my arm in certain ways is what caused it to lock up and lose range of motion.

In order to heal, I have to gently and bravely move THROUGH the pain and accepting this reality makes it easier, quicker and less painful.

So, I accept the 20 hours a week of physical therapy and consider it an opportunity to deepen my mindfulness skills.

At first I was overwhelmed and sad at the prospect of losing this much time and facing all the pain.

I allowed myself to feel the sadness and overwhelm, but I also made a conscious choice to accept the reality of my situation.

I chose what to let go of for a while to make room for the therapy in my schedule and I chose to not spend time wishing it was different or feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by it.

Occasionally I have thoughts of resisting like, “this takes SO much time! I can’t get anything else done! I don’t want to feel the pain.” I feel the emotion that comes up for a few minutes, but get clear on what I’ve chosen, clear on what my reality is and what I want to feel.

How much of your day are you wishing things were different? Thinking they should be different?

Frustrated by your current situation? Upset that COVID is still around? Expecting things to change that really can’t?

Are you fighting reality? Expecting a fantasy? Adding extra suffering?

Ready to make peace with reality?

Take a deep breath and relax INTO and THROUGH reality.