It has been four months since I got out of the hospital. For those who have been following my journey, you know it has not been easy. Healing has its perks – you sleep longer, sleep whenever you feel like it, do what you need to do to achieve medical satisfaction. It also has its challenges. The physical exertion is monitored to ensure the process I am taking is gradual and not hurried. The life pace I am used to before the aneurysm is a goal today and the work involved to get back on that ‘old’ pace I have to do again.
But in this fourth month, I have made a decision to make it “busy” by stepping up and do the things I have always wanted to do but didn’t have the time on. Here are my insights I have gathered from these new experiences:
FACE YOUR FEARS. Took swimming lessons this month because I have always wanted to learn how to swim. The private swimming lessons took 5 sessions of 2hours each and I learned the basics of swimming! Was able to learn how to navigate through a 4ft pool to a 16ft pool. Thanks to a great teacher for being patient and for the support of friends who encouraged me to jump. How great it is to be able to conquer your fear! I learned from this experience that it is not too late to learn new skills whatever age. And if we are afraid, that makes it a priority to conquer it and move past it. Facing our fears only makes us stronger. And there are people out there willing to help and support if we give them a chance.
RUN YOUR WORRIES AWAY. Been happy getting back to my 5km and 10km milestones and gradually getting on track to building on my half-marathon pace. Not in a hurry this time and just enjoying the momentum as I build up. I get to spend time with friends (who also run) and those that just meet me after the run (Ehem! You know who you are). Run your worries away by spending time with people you value and value you back. Build the pace, enjoy the build up and stay in the moment.
BAKE IN NEW PLANS AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO START OVER. Today is my graduation day from a Basic Baking Class. This is a 4-day course that run around 5-6 hours. The course is all about the learning the basics of baking and building up from there. I have always been curious about baking as we didn’t have an oven growing up. When we finally had it, it was time for college and had to move to the ‘city.’ Baking has taught me patience to wait if after the timer goes off, the cake or bread is not yet ready. When kneading the dough, you have to give time for it to “rest” so it can rise and be double of what it was. It also teaches me it is alright to make mistakes so long as you learn from it. Even if it is not shaped right, be patient. You will learn to do it right. If you missed the salt or sugar, there is always next time. And make sure next time is better and fluffier. 😊 Sometimes we need to start over because that is the only option we have. We attack it more prepared. This time, better.
Lastly, IT IS ABOUT CHOOSING TO LOVE BROAD AND DEEP: Not only other people but loving myself broad and deep, too. There are some decisions we make that we regret; some that we wish did not happen; some words we should have not said; some actions that we should have done. We need to learn to forgive ourselves as we know how to forgive others. We should trust the process that there are learnings out there ready for us to discover and that all these discoveries are out there to keep our hearts strong, our minds clear, and our purpose laid out.
My four months journey so far – Face your fears and believe we can improve ourselves. Spend time and love the people that love us back. Be patient with ourselves as we are patient with others. Lastly, trust the process and keep heart and mind open to possibilities and for the better.
I am learning day by day. Live like it is the last day. Love like your heart will not break. Let go of what weighs us down. Remember, YOU are enough. It may hurt at times, but I remain grateful and I continue to celebrate the life I am given a second chance to live.
#TheGratefulCompilation #AneurysmSurvivor #SecondLife #SwinCentralPH #LifeVestNoMore #TheMayaKitchen #UncomplicatedCooking
Musings, Thoughts and Creations 