Staying Attuned, Hearts Desires
Twists and Turns of Your "Next Big Thing"
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
When I say it’s time to embrace “Your Next Big Thing ,”
What do you imagine?
A long-held dream?
For me, it’s been my next bike trip,
Next growth event, next Speaking Gig.
Now, it’s something new.
These past 12 days showed me how
What’s foremost in our hearts
Can shift in a moment.
Playing gentle game of ping-pong Nov. 13
In church basement, husband Bob
Went for spectacular corner save,
Only to slip and crash: breaking his hip.
Hospital, good care, led to surgery and
Partial hip replacement, with good prediction
Of his healing potential.
In the first few days especially,
I imagined the worst—including never biking again.
During week home without him,
I felt bereft, other passions falling away,
Only wanting him with me.
After a week in rehab with daily PT and OT,
Bob is home, with four-wheeled rolling walker,
Other OT tools for putting on socks, etc.
He looks better everyday—and biking
Is still not on my radar.
I know it doesn't mean I don’t love biking,
It doesn’t mean I don't love speaking about my trips
Encouraging others to reach for their
Next Big Thing.
What it means is that our priorities can flex.
Our hearts hold passions for activities, deep love for people.
When someone we love is in peril,
Next Big Thing can become helping them heal;
Spending each day feeling grateful for their presence,
Making the most of each moment.
I caution myself to stay attuned
Life balance and reaching beyond comfort zone
Requires listening and flexing.
The other thing coming to me again and again:
Those “5 Keys” I teach are exactly what I need
Right now in my off-bicycle life.
- Make the commitment
- Ask for help
- Connect with others
- Bring humor to my days
- Recommit, recommit, recommit.
I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
May you feel the depth of gratitude for what you love,
May you honor the needs of your heart
As you reach for Your Next Big Thing!
Hugs and much love,
Lin
P.S. Special gratitude for the outpouring of love and concern
coming our way. Feeling that support, receiving help—
it continues to make an enormous difference!
P.P.S. I'm giving my "Engaging While Aging" talk on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Riverbend Nature Center in Faribault; details here. Come if you can!
Bob making healing progress
Fun date before the fall; at Chanhassen Dinner Theater!
Lin with Bob at his rehab unit
Bob feeling better enough for computer tasks
Bob is home
Bob has 4 wheels instead of 2!
