Why is it so difficult to focus on the positive when life disappoints us? When life gives you a shit storm get a pool noodle.

What holds us back when things go wrong, we are disappointed at work, in our personal relationships or with friends?

Why do we struggle so much to stay on a path that has been changed by circumstances beyond our control? Why do we give it so much energy and try to make it right again when clearly we need to pivot our plans?

What can you do when life deals you a shit show and screws up all your plans that affect your daily life? How do we cope with our fear and our fear of fear?

From the article in the Canadian Mental Health Association, It can become overwhelming.

Well, I can speak from experience on what to do, how to handle, how to accept, and how to pivot your plans when life gives you a shit show. Again I like to focus on the importance of attitude. A positive attitude gives us resilience in life. It helps us to bounce back things don’t go our way at home or in the workplace.

Just a couple of days ago life was going along nice and smoothly … Enjoying summer vacation, family visiting, pool time, sun, and bonfires. Since I like to bake, part of my self-care tool kit. I was enjoying baking for family and friends. Of course, for what I do, baking requires two functional hands. I am right-handed and to lose mobility and function of this hand really can be disruptive, disappointing and a shit show.

On Saturday night after enjoying a lovely day visiting with family, enjoying dinner and a bonfire I picked up a broken glass that someone had accidentally dropped on the paving stones.

Unfortunately, as I approach the stairs I suddenly tripped over my own feet. No idea how that happened! To prevent myself from smashing my ribs into the stairs, I put my hands out to stop or at least mitigate the injury. As I fell I clutched the glass in my right hand and turned it towards the stairs to prevent any damage to my ribs or legs. As a result, instantly felt something warm dripping in my palm and, once inside, the light showed, yes, indeed, I had cut my hand. It was a deep cut. Not a big slice of skin, but serious enough to require a trip to the hospital. Thankfully, we live close by. So my husband drove me and, amazingly enough, we were in and out in under an hour. This was a blessing because usually when you’re in the hospital emergency at 11:30 at night you wait hours. We were prepared to wait a simple bandaid would not suffice.

The nurse and doctor were professional and kind. The doctor sent me for an x-ray to ensure nothing was left in the wound. They put in three staples to close up the wound. Unfortunately, there were no stitches in the hospital.

Needless to say, the first night was brutal, like any kind of accident where you receive stitches/staples it throbs. Recovery takes time. No hand function is debilitating. A practice in patients. A lesson to learn again.

Everyone’s different, some folks would be angry for tripping and let it affect their recovery time by being frustrated, angry, and impatience. It is always choosing how we react and respond to life events, including the unexpected.

I was thankful for the fact I didn’t break my ribs or hurt my kneecaps. Plus, the cut didn’t damage any tendon in my hand.

Day one was difficult with little sleep and a little frustrating getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and putting in a hair clip. However, I managed to do a few things a lot slower with only one hand. The weather was absolutely spectacular and of course, with my injury and bandage, I could not go into our pool. That made me angry and disappointed in normal emotions and an opportunity for self-reflection for the next two weeks. On day two, with better sleep which makes a huge difference for our mental health, I was able to get on the stationary bike and do 45 minutes ensuring my hand was in an upright position so as to avoid swelling. It felt great. My mom dropped off a takeout dinner for us which was really wonderfully yummy and kind.

During the workday, was painful and slow to do any computer work. Yeah, I managed to complete and send off two important documents.

The idea of sharing the story was to show that unexpected things happen to everybody at some point in our life. We experience a debilitating injury either temporary or permanent and so much of the recovery and emotional recovery depends on our attitude.  On that Saturday morning, I had no idea by nightfall I would have a few staples in my hand and be unable to do many simple tasks.  It was frustrating not being able to put on my bra so decided to wear a bathing suit top. Could not bake cookies because stirring and measuring were difficult. Brushing my teeth was completely different with a non-dominant hand. Tieing my shoes, impossible. And going into the pool, the most disappointing.  Yet I managed to find ways to deal with all these ‘simple tasks’.

Figured out how to put on the bra and buttons; used the injured hand to hold shoe laces and loop with the other; baked chocolates instead of cookies; was slow and deliberate with nondominant hand brushing teeth; took a long rubber glove on the injured hand, wrapped with a tape on the area, creating a tight seal and was able to enjoy the pool. It is important to not settle in life and be creative, be patient with what you can do and what you cannot do.

Be mindful of your attitude when life does not go your way. Be mindful when you feel frustrated with events that have forced you to stop or change your plans at home and in the workplace.

There is no guarantee of a tomorrow and, personally, I like to live my very best day every day. And not allow moments or thoughts, injury, and staples to affect how I live my life. Make an active choice on all of life’s disappointments whether they are permanent or temporary. Happiness depends on your attitude and willingness to be creative. Think about it the next time  life gives you a shit storm get a pool noodle