This should be a bigger update since it has been so long but I find that somehow my words are coming slowly. And that is part of why it has taken so long to get this post written - I'm not sure how or where to start. In June, I attended a weekend conference that helped me get to the root of some of the reasons I do the things I do. It was quite opening both personally and relationally. In admitting that I was wrong, some relationships were restored, while others were tested. As I practiced letting people react in their own ways, I experienced freedom. Freedom from expectations, from the should-have's, should not's. Freedom to be myself and live my life.
On the tail of that weekend, I tore the meniscus in my right knee which resulted in being scheduled for surgery to repair that and the torn ACL from 8 years ago. I took many risks during this time. Asking for help when needed. Graciously accepting help when offered. Making lots of jam to ease my conscience of the help received. Oh, that might not be too risky... It was delicious to share!
The summer was difficult in many ways physically and emotionally as I also said good bye to my beloved cat, Sasha. In February, she was diagnosed with feline diabetes and I gave her insulin shots twice a day and changed her diet. Unfortunately, she was quite uncooperative when it came to testing her blood sugar which resulted in her diabetes not being regulated very well. I would have loved to hang on to her for longer but she was in pain and probably not feeling very well.
A few weeks later, I went under the knife for the second time in less than a year to get my knee fixed! A week at my parents house, a month of not driving and over 6 weeks on crutches. Talk about taking risks! Some days it felt like leaving the house was risky. I am still going to physical therapy once a week, doing my exercises and riding a stationary bike. It is not all fun and games - it was quite painful. But I have learned that sometimes in order to move forward, it is necessary to step back and fix the hurts before moving forward is possible. I am excited about the possibility of hiking, playing tennis, and snowboarding with an intact knee!
A month ago, I considered my life and realized there was an activity that was taking up a lot of mental energy and time that needed to go. It was something I thoroughly enjoyed - helping people learn a budgeting program and encouraging them on their journey as a coach. I realized with the repaired knee, that I wanted time to be more active in my non-work life and it would require a change in my activity choices.
So there you have it folks! the short update on my risks. I have a couple more in the works and will post a final update at the end of the year. Alas, the parasailing adventure did not happen this year due to the knee injury but perhaps in 2015!
The 2014 Risks
1) Saying No, instead of saying Yes2) Reconciling differences with a friend
3) Accepting that sometimes it is best to let go
4) Dinner on my own with a book
5) Posting my first blog entry
6) Re-working a knitting project into something new
7) Saying Yes, and getting No
8) Admitting I was wrong
9) Asking for and accepting help
10) Saying good bye to a beloved pet
11) Surgery
12) Saying no to something good
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