I never thought I was one prone to getting hurt- but lately I’ve been reconsidering that assumption! It all started with a few clumsy actions here and there (I blamed it on my lack of sleep!). Bumping into classmates after lecture, dropping my Starbucks Americano, slipping in the shower, falling out of my bed, and then all of a sudden- CRASH! I’m speeding down a bike path on campus and I somehow manage to cross the street safely, but then lose control of my bike after running into a curb, propelling myself into the nearby aluminum pole, gaining speed as I fly across the courtyard landing in front of the plaza with a huge SMACK. I don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed in my whole life! Hoards of people surrounded me as I tried to gain understanding of what just happened. It’s nice for people to be helpful, but it can be quite overwhelming when you’re the one laying in the middle of a walkway and all you can see are a multitude of long necks and nose hair above you as everyone tries to help you up without hurting you even more! Luckily I managed to get to the hospital alright (I opted out of the super expensive ambulance ride, and was offered to be dropped off at the medical center by a nice police officer). After 6 x-rays, a very comfortable wheelchair ride, medical conversation and much poking and prodding, I was finally released (happily, I might add- I could at least look forward to the prescribed Vicodin!) Although nothing was broken, I had terribly sprained by right shoulder and completely bruised up my left leg. Oh- did i have NO idea how hard things were going to be in the days to come!
But hey- what I’ve noticed this past week, is a lesson I can guarantee is an important one. Everyone needs time to think. Sometimes “go, go, go” in this world isn’t always the best way to live. Maybe spraining my shoulder and bruising my leg wasn’t the most comfortable way to learn this lesson, but I know now it was the most helpful! Although I couldn’t zoom around on my mountain bike anymore, or run all the way across campus 15 minutes late for meeting a friend at brunch, or rush down the hall to take a quick shower before class, I managed to do a lot more, important things. Leisurely things. Like walking a couple blocks outside slowly- enjoying the sunny weather, stepping into the library to catch up on Ancient Egyptian History, making a few phone calls to my family, and most important of all, re-learning how to listen, feel, and think. I had to remind myself that silence can be helpful, writing poetry can be empowering, and helping others in their lives can be rewarding.
And sure, getting injured wasn’t exactly how I planned to spend the first couple weeks of my much-anticipated summer break, but hey- at least I have a conversation starter if things get awkwardly silent!
Learning to take one breath at a time,
TRINITY
Trinity's Blog 