In slow motion, as if in a movie with multiple cameras capturing the action from all angles, there was the driveway, me flying through the air, and my entire body hitting the ground with a thud.
I touched my face and knew there was blood, a lot of it, but I took a moment to catch my breath back and run my tongue over my teeth. Nothing felt chipped or missing. Fabulous, a silver lining.
To my left was one of the lenses from my glasses. The cracked frames had landed somewhere above my head. Another silver lining, I’d been putting off going to the eye doctor to get my prescription updated, now I’d get it done.
I made my way into the house, and a neighbor drove me to the ER. After x-rays, the doctor came in and said, “You’re right. You have a break.” When I asked which arm he didn’t try to make me feel better when he said, “both.” Still, the silver lining was that they don’t cast broken elbows, and I didn’t need surgery.
Flying back to Australia from the USA in a few days, I won’t be able to carry my bags through the airport. The airline arranged for a wheelchair and support to the gate and between flights. Another silver lining, I’ll get to board first.
When shitty things happen, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy. I have two broken arms, and my face looks like someone mugged and beat me, and I’m happy. Here’s what I know, when all you fixate on is the crap, sure, it’s hard to see the good, especially when it feels like life has come crashing down.
The next time you feel like you’re falling into a “woe is me” headspace, ask yourself: What’s the flip side? If it’s not immediately apparent, look a little harder, the silver lining is there, waiting for you to discover it.
I’m about as far from Pollyanna as you can get, ask anyone who knows me. However, I’m proof that you can be a positive realist. Life isn’t always sunshine and unicorns, but it can still be damn good. You can choose the light over the dark.
Everyone has bad days. Sometimes, they’re worse than usual. Even on the worst of the worst, silver linings will make things better. I promise.
Healing over the next few weeks means I’ll be online less. Another silver lining? Hope you find yours in your challenges too.
Oh my goodness! Sending you healing thoughts. Hope you heal quickly.
Thanks, Joy. Not my best week but odddly, still really good. Got time with my parents which eclipses a broken bone… or two.
Alli
OH, NO!~ Curious about what you might have said when it happened but that’s for later. Right, now safe trip home and good wishes for fast and complete healing and back, or perhaps forward, to normal. I am not a subscriber to “it could have been worse” because, thank you, it’s bad enough as it is. I admire your attitude and propensity for positive thoughts regardless of an set aside. It doesn’t have to be a setback, that’s why I call it a “set aside.” It’s like sitting on the bench while the rest of the team takes over some of your tasks for awhile. Let me know what I can do besides just being your cheerleader.
I was pretty good with what I said out loud when it happened, which is a shocker for me. Sure, it could have been worse, but this is bad enough for me. Making the best of things and taking it in stride is the best I can do – it’s the best any of us can do. I get home Thursday, my family returns from their adventures on Friday and it will be as if the cavalry has arrived.
Thanks, Gary!
I Love this: “when all you fixate on is the crap, sure, it’s hard to see the good.” So true…I hope you made it home without any more incidents. Your post is a great reminder that there really can be a silver lining if we take the time to hunt for it…P.S. get well!
My trip home was exciting getting wheeled around the airport and zipped around on golf carts. I reminded them that I can walk, I luckily have two good legs, just needed help with lifting. It was a good reminder to myself too.
Thanks so much, LaRae!
Alli
Wow, please get well soon Alli. When I first read this, I didn’t realize it happened to you I had to go back and read again and again. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. I was right when I said you are an inspiration.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Louei. Less than two weeks out now I can already move my arms more and my no longer looks like someone punched me. Slow but steady improvement. I’m ready to be back to 100% but will use this time to relearn the lessons of patience and persistence.
Grateful,
Alli
Well Alli … your insights continue to a beacon for all. Everyone is going to fall into bad times. When we are there and can say — what can I learn from this, who can I help from here, etc…. we lift ourselves up and can see the silver lining. Bravo and get well soon 🙂
Kate
Silver linings are there even when the clouds are heavy. There have been times, even in my recovery, I’ve wanted to give in to the pain or frustration but that would not help anyone, especially me.
Many thanks!
alli
Hi Alli! OMG! I can’t believe you had to return home with broken arms! Yet your attitude and perspective blow me away. I hope the trip wasn’t too difficult. I am thinking about you and sending good wishes and a quick recovery. Please take care of yourself. Terri
Crazy shock when it happened. My attitude has made a difference in my recovery too. It’s also helped with patience for the healing process. I’m hoping by the end of this week, week two, I”ll be in much less pain and able to do so much more. Slowing down can be hard and sometimes things happen that don’t make it optional. I’m grateful.
xo,
Alli