From Injury to Insight - What My Shoulder Taught Me!

This morning, as I got out of bed, I instinctively raised my arms to stretch. In that simple act, I was flooded with a sense of gratitude and pride. It's not a daily ritual that typically evokes such emotions, but for me, it held profound significance.

Two years ago I began experiencing repetitive strain in my shoulder, it hurt… a lot... juggling all the responsibilities in my life, my own physical well-being did not make it that far up the ‘todo’ list.

The discomfort persisted, and over time I merely adapted to avoid pain. I found new ways to perform tasks that didn't involve strain and subtly conformed to the limitations it imposed.

The pain subsided, only to be traded for a new more sinister predicament.

In my neglect in caring for my needs, my body took matters into its own hands. Without my awareness, it began building protective tissue around the injury. While the pain lessened, so did my shoulder's mobility.

I began to feel trapped by my own body, I was unable to hug my own children, raise my arms or simply react swiftly without searing pain.

I'd never had a limitation like this before.

Fear soon replaced frustration as I realised I needed to take action. I knew it would come at a cost (medical intervention is not cheap in the US!). However, not addressing the issue would exact a different toll. I did not want to settle for restrictions and limitations; I wanted the freedom of movement I was designed for.

I soon realised that recovery was not going to be instantaneous. It would be painful, demanding and take unwavering commitment - I’d need help with that.

To regain full mobility, I would have to push my shoulder into uncomfortable territory daily. Push to and through the point of pain, and in doing so break the tissues of protection that my own body had built.

It required consistency and dedication, even amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

The reality was that the temporary pain was a necessary sacrifice for long-term freedom and wholeness.

I was willing to pay the price.

There would be no shortcut to this freedom, the only path forward was through hard work and intentionality and with a dedicated physiotherapist by my side and a fear of limitations stronger than my fear of pain, I embarked on my journey.

I had always taken my physical capabilities for granted and often neglected my own health and well-being. I was becoming aware of the fact that when we ignore our body's needs, it often takes charge of itself in the name of protection.

This journey has led me on a journey beyond just my physical health; it urged me to examine every other aspects of my life.

I began to see areas where I had become accustomed to limitations and self imposed boundaries, born out of painful moments and fear-driven protection.

• Past pain in relationships protected my heart and limited my capacity to love and be loved.
  

• Past pain in disappointment protected my spirit from expanding my ability to dream for the future and live with expectation.
  

• Past pain in feeling like I have failed restricted my mind to only allow me to do things where I knew I would succeed.
  

• Past pain in not being heard kept my thoughts and feelings bound up on the inside when they should be expressed.

My pursuit has continued long after my shoulder has healed - I have become increasingly determined not to be held back, stay small, or to let past pain continue to impact my life, just as it had my shoulder.

These mindsets and reactions haven't and won’t vanish overnight, but with intention, focus, accountability and effort I believe that every facet of my life has the capacity to expand - imagine the results!

The learned protective mindsets that have, with all good intentions, shielded me from insecurities, fears, and anxiety in a season also limited my ability to truly show up in life, dream for the future and see the good in my past.

By failing to address the source of my pain, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual, my body, mind and emotions will take control. If I allow them to dictate the boundaries of my life, they will continue to restrict me to a narrow spectrum where I don't live to my fullest potential.

I was born to experience fullness and freedom in every aspect - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

To achieve this, I need to listen to my body, heart, mind, and spirit. For there are countless ways we unconsciously accept limitations we were never meant to live with.

As we stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zones, gently and firmly guiding our bodies, minds and spirits out into territory once restricted, seeking wisdom and accountability as we do, we will travel beyond anything we have ever known into a fullness and freedom that we were created to live in.

As I wake up every morning - I want to appreciate the freedom I feel and the fullness that is mine.