WHAT I LEARNED FROM BEING IN CRUTCHES

Sometimes we forget to fully appreciate what we have until we lose it. From canceled meetings, missed flights, and unexpected snowstorm, I have learned to be calm in face of challenges. Yet, when I unexpectedly found myself leaving the ER with crutches and wheelchair need due to an ankle injury four days before my flight to a client workshop and conference, I got worried. My logistics and priorities changed. I needed to make extra phone calls to ensure where I was going could accommodate my needs.

I needed to allocate more travel time to everything since I couldn’t speed down the hallway networking everyone the way I used to. And I found myself being humbled to realize how hard mobility must be for those who have to face this daily.
You start to notice all the building that lack wheelchair access and roads that are extra bumpy. It got me realizing how many other things we may remain oblivious and unaware of until we experience it ourselves and are in that person’s shoes.

Is it possible to build that empathy and perspective first without being on crutches? That trip, despite those challenges, was one of my best trip and I look back at how my extra mindfulness played a role throughout the trip. I am now on my second work trip since my injury and am excited to be at Detroit for two events. As I adopt to this new mobility, I’m also noticing how fast we get used to things. It makes me wonder how can we continue to remain alert with curiosity and mindfulness before getting too comfortable, with anything. What is something that you take for granted that you need to show more gratitude and mindfulness? I bet the lessons you learn will surprise you and in a good way.