Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu spend a lot of time writing about the danger of attachments. When we become attached to people, ideas, strategies and expectations, we can easily become disillusioned when life doesn't go the way we want it to or thought it would. When we are able to live free of attachments, then we meet each moment as it unfolds before us.
I am reminded of this principle lesson today as my life has taken one of those unexpected turns. For the past month, I've been focused on my impending surgery on my ailing right shoulder. As is my wont, as each day passed, I've become a bit more anxious. Mind you, I haven't gotten to the point of being on pins and needles, but the thought of surgery has been ever present in my mind.
Since I expected my right arm would be in a sling from Oct. 25 - Nov. 14, I've been working like mad to write and schedule all the posts for three ongoing series on this blog for this period when I would be unable to type with my right hand. I was also trying to get other aspects of my life in order to prepare for this down period in the recuperation process.
On Tuesday evening, needing more wood for the fireplace, I expected I would walk down the back steps to the basement to fetch more firewood and then, in short order, I would ascend the steps and go back in the house. However, both my short-term and long-term expectations changed in the blink of an eye as I somehow managed to fall down the steps! (I'm sure this occurred because I wasn't completely focused on the matter at hand!)
This fall has resulted in a badly sprained foot and, possible, fracture. (We're waiting for the radiologist to look over my x-rays.) My foot has been placed in a boot and I will need to use crutches for the next 2 - 4 weeks or more. Due to this injury, my surgeon canceled my impending surgery because I wouldn't be able to use crutches with one arm in a sling and it wouldn't be safe for me to be hobbling around on an injured foot because, if I lost my balance and fell again, I would most likely mess up my surgically repaired shoulder!
Consequently, I spent the last 2 weeks anxious over nothing. I had become overly attached to expectation that, for now, will be unmet.
This is par for my life as it is for almost anyone else I know. We think we know how our lives will turn out, yet it rarely goes the way we anticipate. We waste valuable energy on our expectations, often building up to something that never transpires or occurs in a manner we never expected.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
I am reminded of this principle lesson today as my life has taken one of those unexpected turns. For the past month, I've been focused on my impending surgery on my ailing right shoulder. As is my wont, as each day passed, I've become a bit more anxious. Mind you, I haven't gotten to the point of being on pins and needles, but the thought of surgery has been ever present in my mind.
Since I expected my right arm would be in a sling from Oct. 25 - Nov. 14, I've been working like mad to write and schedule all the posts for three ongoing series on this blog for this period when I would be unable to type with my right hand. I was also trying to get other aspects of my life in order to prepare for this down period in the recuperation process.
On Tuesday evening, needing more wood for the fireplace, I expected I would walk down the back steps to the basement to fetch more firewood and then, in short order, I would ascend the steps and go back in the house. However, both my short-term and long-term expectations changed in the blink of an eye as I somehow managed to fall down the steps! (I'm sure this occurred because I wasn't completely focused on the matter at hand!)
This fall has resulted in a badly sprained foot and, possible, fracture. (We're waiting for the radiologist to look over my x-rays.) My foot has been placed in a boot and I will need to use crutches for the next 2 - 4 weeks or more. Due to this injury, my surgeon canceled my impending surgery because I wouldn't be able to use crutches with one arm in a sling and it wouldn't be safe for me to be hobbling around on an injured foot because, if I lost my balance and fell again, I would most likely mess up my surgically repaired shoulder!
Consequently, I spent the last 2 weeks anxious over nothing. I had become overly attached to expectation that, for now, will be unmet.
This is par for my life as it is for almost anyone else I know. We think we know how our lives will turn out, yet it rarely goes the way we anticipate. We waste valuable energy on our expectations, often building up to something that never transpires or occurs in a manner we never expected.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
What a bummer.
ReplyDeleteAt least you won't have to heal two parts of your body at once, though!
Have you rescheduled the surgery yet?
I'm sorry for your fall and the way things have shifted for you. I'm new to your blog, relatively speaking, and I do enjoy it a lot. But today's post on attachments was particularly helpful to me today as I was dealing with personal issues of my own and realized that my attachments to particular outcomes were not helping me heal at all. Thank you for your timely reminder! And good luck with your healing!
ReplyDeleteLydia,
ReplyDeleteNot yet. My surgeon said not to reschedule until my foot completely healed.
Daphnepurpus,
It's a lesson we each have to learn and relearn again. :-)
this is true! i've had a bad birthday nearly every year because i was expecting the day to be somehow better than the rest of the days of the year. it always ends in disappointment. if i could just learn to throw away my expectations, i could maybe let go and have a good day!
ReplyDeletebtw, i'm sorry about your fall! :( i had to have surgery on my ankle, it's no fun being stuck in crutches, but hopefully you'll heal before the sidewalks get icy!