LESSONS I LEARNT FROM A FRACTURED ANKLE

So, I fractured my ankle. Yup, it happened. I was going about my day as usual then I suddenly missed a step and in that second, I had an injury that would alter my plans for the next 6 to 8 weeks. But don’t worry I am fine, healing very fast, Amen. But the past few weeks have been one of the hardest of my life. Having to accept that I have an injury that has had me bed ridden has been really hard. Most importantly I had made some serious progress in my health and fitness and now I can’t even walk? Oh, and let us not forget the cast. The thing is the worst! It is hot, itchy, heavy, uncomfortable, you name it. Trust me, this has been tough. But despite everything, this has also been a learning moment. I have learnt some things about life that I would not have learnt otherwise and I want to share with you the reality that comes with such situations.

WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH AND WORK, CHOOSE HEALTH

When I had the injury, I went to the hospital. I knew that I could not make it to work that so I called in and told my Supervisor what happened. The first thing he said was ‘send me your sick leave information from the hospital when you are done.’ There was no ‘Are you okay?’ or ‘Are you in pain’. A little empathy would have been nice but I immediately understood that it was protocol for him because that is his job.

At the end of the day, your company does not care about your well-being. It’s harsh but it’s true. They don’t care if you are sick, pregnant, on your period, going through an emotional breakdown. They care about how many bodies are in the building, serving their vision and mission statement. A few years ago, I worked in a government office and we lost a co-worker. We went to the funeral and when we came back, there was someone new at our coworkers’ desk. This filled me with rage. ‘Her body is not even cold yet and you guys have replaced her??’ were my thoughts. Being a young employee fresh from college, this concept was hard for me to accept. But it is what it is. Now I am not trying to villainize corporations. At the end of the day they have customers to serve and stakeholders to take care of. But you don’t. Unless that is your business sis, you not obligated to sacrifice your health in order to show how hard working you are. Because at the end of the day, when you are lying in that hospital bed fighting for your life, to them you are a liability. So, if you need to take care of your health, do exactly that. You are important to your family and to your community. Do what you have to do to take care of you.

MAN MADE PLANS ARE NOT GUARANTEED

Before my injury my life was planned out. After work I would go for my daily workout. I had a marathon I was going to be part of. My first marathon actually. My trip home for the holidays was jam-packed with all kinds of activities with my friends and family. The day they told me about the fracture, they said they would put a cast on my leg for 2 to 4 weeks. That meant I was going to go home with a cast. How am I going to slay with a cast and crutches? How can I let my friends and family see me like this? This is not what I planned…. Just like that everything went to the pits. I was devastated, I was angry. My friends were going out and meeting cute guys and I was stuck at home looking like a hot mess. It was not what I planned.

Sometimes we take life for granted and we think just because we planned something, then it’s going to happen. Well life sometimes throws curve-balls. But it’s not about how plans change, it’s about how we react to the change. Sometimes you have to take a step back, take a deep breath and come up with plan B. Which was probably God’s plan A. For me I had to accept that this was the time for me to get some well needed rest from my busy life.

NOT EVERYONE CARES FOR YOU

This is a hard pill. Over the last few weeks, I have really gotten to see who my true friends and acquaintances are and who the fakes are. There are some people that you think are your true friends but when things get bad, they are not there for you. As much as it hurts, it is good to see that the people that smile at you and act like they care, are doing that for show and don’t really care. And that is okay. In life you have shed the dead weight and keep it moving. I have also had some surprises. Some people that I hardly talk to, have come to see me and brought gifts. These are angels sent from above I tell you. When you are down, God sends you some people to make sure you are alright. Don’t worry about the fakes, they have been keeping you from greatness.

ALWAYS BE NICE TO PEOPLE

Kindness has a boomerang effect. It always comes back in ways you least expect it. The first day I went to the hospital, I met a lady who used work with my company. As soon she saw me, she came asked me what happened. She immediately put it upon herself to help me and take me from one place to the other. She did not have to, but she did. Now if I had been a nasty person to her back then when we were workmates, she would not have even bothered. I would probably have had to drag my injured self around to get things done. Be kind to those around you. You never know what the future holds. You might meet someone from your past at the hospital, your child’s school or even in an interview.

So, these are the life lessons that I have learnt in the past few weeks. Although I was really taken aback during the first few days, I am glad I have made to the other end of this tunnel with my sanity intact and life lessons as a bonus.

POSITIVITY DURING TOUGH TIMES

We all have that voice in our heads that kicks us when we are down. I began to replay the whole thing in my mind and I started to scold myself for taking that route and for not paying attention. But I have learnt the power of positive thinking and positive affirmations. I had to switch it up with “I am healthy. I am strong. I am healing fast. I am blessed. I know that this is just a moment that will fade away.” I would repeat these words to myself every time so as not to get overwhelmed. Positive affirmations help you to manifest good things with the power of the tongue. So be careful what you say to yourself. Be kind to yourself and for goodness sake, give yourself a break.

If you are in a similar situation, do not panic. All things are temporary. This is your moment to gain some valuable life lessons.