GREAT Morning!
“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.” – Jack Kornfield
3 months ago, I feel off of a scooter in Dallas, TX and broke my wrist. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I would spend the next 3 months predominantly sedentary as I let my wrist heal in a brace. Prior to this injury, I was on my wrist, exercising every single day of the week. Sometimes twice a day. I developed this relentless routine during my youth/college days as I played football from ages 6 to 21. During that 15 year span, I was “lucky” enough to have never broken a bone. Or so I thought…
The mental and psychological turbulence I’ve faced over the last 3 months have been undeniably challenging. That being said, it never fails that we learn the MOST and grow the MOST from most trying tribulations.
After 3 months of self-reflection, I came to a profound realization. I realized that the reason why I felt so terrible is because I self-identify with my body and its ability to move freely, lift heavy things, and perform handstands. What I learned, however, is that self-identifying with a fleeting force (i.e. your body, your social status, your job title, or some other ideal) only sets you up for subsequent suffering.
We self-identify with our looks, intelligence or possessions because we THINK that those things make us exceptional, loveable, and accepted. We tend to seek validation by promoting our strongest qualities. The truth is that our looks, intelligence and possessions are all temporary so if we self-identify with these transient traits, what happens to US when THEY fade away? All “pleasurable” and “painful” experiences are transitory in nature. All things come. All things go. This too shall pass.
Rather than self-identifying with the impermanent, we must understand that we are worthy of compassion and love just the way we are! Regardless of your income, ethnicity, race, or athletic ability, you are enough! Nothing you ever possess or acquire will ever add to or take away from your worthiness of love. We were born this way. It is our God-Given Right to both love and be loved. PERIOD. There are no qualifications to this fact. So the next time you get injured, sick, dumped or overlooked, remember to practice self-compassion and self-love. Keep in mind that all events are temporary. Everything comes. Everything goes. Except for love. Love is eternal.
Enjoy what comes of today!
With Gratitude,
Rob