Under Construction
Maybe you’ve noticed that construction is necessary for progress. Maybe you’ve noticed it’s accompanied by growth and healing.
Let me share a story or two about construction and healing.
My house has been under construction for the past month as we add on a family room. This means there is a huge pile of dirt where they dug the foundation sitting RIGHT by the stairs we use to get to the main part of our house. There’s a porta-potty just beyond that for the construction crew to use. My parking spot has shifted over and now my husband and I are squeezed into a tighter spot in our driveway. It takes some finesse to back up in such a narrow space.
We’ve had to wait on permits, inspections, the crew as they work on other projects, the weather. It’s going slower than we’d like. It’s inconvenient. We started this process because we simply don’t have the space we need in our home. But we realize in order to get where we want to be we have to have to endure the construction phase.
My healing business is also under construction right now. I’m working on a new, professionally designed website while working one-on-one with a business coach. There are growing pains as I question myself with all the decisions that are required in this process. Having to decide how I want my website to look; page names, design, content for each page, colors, titles, a new logo. Looking at things from a new perspective and changing the things that aren’t working well. Writing down my goals and vision, generating a budget, and creating content for social media gets overwhelming when I am juggling a patient caseload and family life. It’s painful. It’s stressful. Some days I want to cry, scream, or just take a nap to avoid the arduous task of decision making.
But, I’m the owner. No one else is going to come in on their white horse and make these decisions for me. Some days I wonder if it’s all worth it or if I should just throw in the towel and go back to work for someone else. It’s so uncomfortable. It makes me feel like I’m stuck in a too-small body suit, tied to a chair, with no wiggle room. The growing pains just plain annoy me some days. I get impatient with the process. |
In the midst of all this, I started a new diet. It was out of necessity, because we discovered the source of my daughter’s tummy aches turns out to be a parasite and candida (yeast) in the digestive tract. She immediately had to start following a very restrictive diet which has been challenging for her since she’s only nine years old. Day two into her Candida Diet I decided to join her out of support.
Not only did I begin the Candida Diet, at the same time I also started detoxing several major organs for my own health. This requires a daily regime of supplements that my dietitian recommended. The first week I checked and double checked that list of supplements before each meal and at the end of the day to know exactly what I was supposed to take and when. I did the same checking and rechecking for my daughter, making sure she was taking all the recommended supplements and pro-biotics to bring balance back to her little body.
This is all very minor stuff in the big scheme of things, but it all adds up. It starts to get under your skin; pick, pick, picking away at things. Creating chaos in a world that was comfortable and familiar. A world that worked like you wanted it to work and had come to expect.
When you choose to make a change in the hopes of feeling better, there’s bound to be some construction along the way. It might come in the form of physical discomfort. It might show up as a change in emotions. It might be both. It might be unpleasant. It might rear up as an ache, burning, an unease, difficulty sleeping, not being able to get comfortable while your body shifts and finds a new norm. It might show up as a sea of emotion. Crying, feeling the blues, rage, feelings of despair, anger, resentment.
Those of us that are experienced in bodywork and the healing process call this “Under Construction” process the Healing Theory. It can happen at any given time, but I like to tell every new patient I work with about it so they aren’t surprised.
Sure enough he called me the next day and said “I didn’t really think you were doing much yesterday, even though you explained it all. But today I’m in pain. My shoulders hurt, my head is achy, I can’t get comfortable”. “Uh oh, he’s mad” I thought to myself. I quickly started to think of solutions in my head that I could offer for his discomfort.
Before I spoke he continued, “I’m calling because I wanted you to know I’m okay with it. I have been so numbed out for so long, not really feeling anything, so feeling the pain is actually a step in the right direction. I want more of your treatment. I think it is exactly what I need to help me”.
The point is, change can be uncomfortable. It doesn’t mean it’s not right. Change occurs all around us, day in and day out. Sometimes we get bursts of change all at once and it can feel overwhelming and we want to cry out “Why me?” or “Life is unfair”. Other times we ride the high, feeling like all is well and things magically fall into place.
Life is about change, just as healing is about change. The key is to remember that through change comes the reward of progress, healing, and growth.
Peace. Contentment. Understanding. Joy. You can put your own label on what healing is.
Go ahead….where do you see yourself at the end of it? Are you vibrant and alive? Glowing? Happy? Pain-free? Courageous? Sober? Healthy? Off pain medication? Sexy? Free from a toxic relationship? Balanced?
It’s okay if you say no. It’s okay if you don’t want to go through the process. If you are “fine” with where you’re at. Not everyone is ready to heal or grow; to take the steps needed and endure the “Under Construction” phase in order to feel better.
Maybe today’s not your day. Maybe today you stay in your comfortable little box, even if it’s miserable and you’re missing out on living the life you want.
But maybe you’re like me and you say “No way! I’m getting out of this box and moving forward!” Even if that means asking for help or support, praying for patience and endurance, and being uncomfortable in the process.
Because eventually the box is just too damn confining, don’t you think?
The materials contained on this website are provided for general information and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice on any particular individual situation. Please see your Healing Spot Physical Therapist or other medical practitioner for full and individual consultation. The information contained in this blog is not intended to diagnosis, cure, treat or prevent any disease.