Suffering is optional                                                                November 2010

On the 2nd day of the first vacation time I've had in 8 months, I got injured. It was a stupid accident. I was running to the parking meter when my left knee twisted and buckled underneath me, and I felt the horrific "riiiip" happen on the left side. I knew it was bad. Thankfully though, nothing was broken and only time will tell how quickly the lateral collateral ligaments will heal.

What's been interesting, though, has been my lack of drama about the whole thing and simply accepting what has happened and coping with a sense of humour. This is quite a departure from how I would have reacted 2 years ago - whining & snivelling & wallowing in my isolation, pain, and misery from being ripped off from the vacation time & adventures I had planned - and enrolling my community in the cosmic injustice of it all. What has changed?

I can't put my finger on it exactly, except that maybe all the personal development books I've been reading and all the wisdom from the "live your best life"-style podcasts I've been listening to in the car have actually SUNK IN?? It's like I'm experiencing a "visceral adoption" of the Serenity Prayer:

What has happened has happened. Can't change it. And sitting in the hospital's emergency room for 3+ hours is no picnic. The only thing to do in those circumstances is to ask the right kinds of questions to focus my mind on staying positive and making the best out of the situation:

• "What's good about this?"
• "What's hilarious about this?"
• "Is there an opportunity here?"
• "How can I be here and still find a way to brighten someone's day in the process?"
• "Maybe the doctor will be cute & single?"

I dare say we all have a tendency to react negatively when things are frustrating, or circumstances beyond our control prevent us from getting what we want. But is it really that bad? Worthy of foul words, a harsh tone, or generally making everyone around you miserable? Is sulking going to help?

The next time something goes awry and your plans are ruined, and you find yourself with the urge to wallow in a pity party, consider these wise words:

The Buddhists got it right. Cheers to peace and positive coping!