Today is the 4-week anniversary of a surgery I had and I wanted to share a few thoughts around that which I believe are useful for the coming year. It's interesting what God uses to teach sometimes. So! I had a major surgery on November 29th and the way that worked out is a whole story on its own. The timing couldn't have been better but honestly, that's only in retrospect. It was all God.
I had a standing appointment with my doctor which I had been postponing for like 3 months. The day I ticked off what was the last major item on my work To Do list, I said to my self - Tomorrow is the day! No more postponement. Long story short, I saw the doctor, he says we need to do this and can we do it in 10 days? I'm like 10 days? Who prepares for a surgery in 10 days? None the less we start the process and everything is approved and ready for the D-Day. D-Day was perfect because it was towards the end of the year. I could take sick leave without feeling guilty (yea - I like work too much, I know).
Now to the main story of the last half year (gosh it's been that long I blogged last).
My family and some friends who knew, told me what was normal and expected of someone who just did the kind of surgery I did. I think deep down in their hearts they knew this lady won't do the normal things but they tried and hoped against hope that I would listen to reason. Of course, I didn't. Those who know me know I'm the least conventional person on the planet.
The first 24 hours after, I was in and out of sleep. I've never slept that much in a continuous space of time in my life. Oh, did I mention it was my first surgery ever? Within 48 hours, I was up and taking strolls on the hour along the hospital corridor. The nurses wondered who this lady walking around was and when one of them saw me on my bed sometime after, she was amazed that I was the same person who had surgery 48 hours ago.
A week later I spent 2 days at work - first day doing 2 presentations and conducting one election. Second day, I sat in a strategy session all day and party in the evening. A week later, I went on a scheduled trip. Now, I'm not trying to paint a picture of a super woman. My mobility was greatly reduced. I couldn't sit straight and had to sit at an angle and I couldn't drive. But, I walked around, cooked my own food and did minimal office work.
What was I doing? I was defining my own Normal. I wasn't going to limit myself to what the usual practice was. I was sensible, in that I listened to my body and took appropriate rests, didn't strain or bend but I stretched the limits of what was possible. I refused to be an invalid. 2 weeks later, during one of my rest breaks I browsed the web for what some other climes considered normal for my situation and I found that my own Normal was actually in line with the UK at least. So I wasn't as crazy as I thought I was being.
So, what's the point of all this? Don't feel constrained to go by the normal that your environment dictates to you. Stretch the limits of your environment and yourself but listen to you - your spirit, soul and body. If you take the time to listen to yourself, you should not act foolishly. Go beyond your comfort zone within reasonable limits as dictated by your innermost self.
If you believe the Bible, take a look at Romans 12:2. This is the message I believe I am trying to pass:
"Be not conformed to this world, but be renewed by the transforming of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God".
By staying in tune with God through His Word, you can define your normal, which would not necessarily follow what the world considers normal. In doing that, you will prove that God is at work in you, both willing and doing His perfect will.
In 3 weeks, I was fully healed and this I knew because I could now sit straight. I could sleep on my side. The discomfort was gone. Again, my body told me - We are back! I didn't lose 3 weeks of my life to the old normal. I was able to still achieve all I needed to, because I embraced my own normal. Oh yes, I sought and took help where I needed to, but I continued living. The usual timing given to be healed is 4 to 6 weeks. I believe stretching my body and letting it know we weren't going to play dead aided the quick recovery. At this point I should also say a big thank you to my doctor and surgeon who was a very willing tool in God's hand. Thank you Sir!
Friends, in 2017 define your own normal. Whether at work, emotionally, family wise, business, whatever it is. Don't go with the flow and what everyone else says it should be. Set your goals and go for it!
Happy New year in advance.
In Him we live and move and have our being.
