Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-forward-together/id1510373513
During this pandemic, I threw out my back and was pretty much out of commission for almost 3 weeks.
So, what did I do? I rested (even though I didn’t want to, I had no choice, the pain was debilitating), I made adjustments around me to keep things more accessible and clutched the area where the pain was the greatest when I did have to walk.
Unfortunately, my first time going for a walk triggered mild pain in that affected area.
What did I do? I slowed my pace. I reduced my stride. I kept going.
Because I have thrown my back out many times over the years, I have come to learn that it is usually a clear sign that I need to consider where I need to “realign” myself. The discomfort and the pain usually only last for 2-3 days, but this time was different. It lasted 3 weeks. So, my realignment process was going deeper than it ever has!! This time felt like I needed a complete overhaul of every area in my life. Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual. During this time of realignment, the pain was too much to bear.
Alignment means, “arrangement in a straight line or in correct relative positions”. So, when I need to realign something, be it my back, my thoughts, my emotions I believe it means I have overworked myself in one or more of those areas and it is time to correct them back into healthier positions. As I get restored in areas that are not working well, I eventually feel strengthened all over.
I consider myself a mentally and emotionally strong person, but unfortunately, I am not as physically strong as I would like. That is a struggle I have faced over the years and definitely an area I need to work on. I have discovered that when I feel weak physically, I feel more run down than usual. However, it also allows me concentrated time to strengthen myself mentally and emotionally.
A dear friend sent me a book to follow exercises that will strengthen my back, so perhaps that will be the tool that will get me back on track. Getting back into a healthy exercise routine will also help, I’m sure.
Realignment…what does that mean in your story? How do you feel when things are out-of-sync or out of alignment? What do you do?
Do you need to rest, to slow down, reduce activity, or get proactive in meeting your goals and desires?
At the beginning of this pandemic season, I wrote a post titled “Don’t Stay In Place” https://seemaglobalconsulting.com/dont-stay-in-place/ and you can also listen to it on my podcast named “Growing Forward Together” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-forward-together/id1510373513 . As I continued to pivot in my own journey, throwing out my back forced me to realign myself so as to keep growing forward.
Realignment has allowed me to see things clearer, feel deeper, trust greater, feel freer, fight harder (for what is good), learn easier, share quicker and experience a deeper peace in the process. I hold on to what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
I am ready to be done with this pandemic, as I’m sure you are as well, along with the damage that it is causing for many people. I also hope that more people are learning to pivot, realign and let go of what they can’t control.
When I wrote the first draft of this piece, we were in the second month of the stay-at-home order in place. At which time I participated in a webinar by Keith Antoine https://www.jla.co.uk/conference-speakers/keith-antoine , a world renown Olympic Coach and international speaker. His topic was “Paradigm Shift”. Amidst his many great points, he had this to say about Goals/Goal Setting, “we need to have little goals that sustain us towards the big goals” (paraphrasing). He broke it down to two areas: Big Goals and Performance Goals. He says, “the focus on Performance Goals is key to the growth and achievement of any Big Goal. They are the small goals where an individual has complete control of the process and is encouraged to take it.”
When we discover what our “Big Goals” are, we need to consider our “Performance Goals” and then make sure they line up and carry us to our Big Goal. When they do not, then it is time for a “realignment”.
For me this was the push I needed. I have had to professionally pivot much during this season, but this framework helped me to push through and conquer some Performance Goals (writing and recording this piece is one of them).
Now, several weeks later, as I put the final touches on this piece, I am writing at a cottage on Lake Michigan. My husband and I needed to fix the alignment on our marriage so decided to escape from our usual routines and reconnect!!
How about you? Where are you at in realizing the path to your goals? What will you do today to get closer to your Big Goal?
Whether you choose to pivot or get realigned, do it with confidence, passion, and clarity of the greater goal in your story.
You matter, you are needed and were designed with a particular purpose in mind. We need you and encourage you to do whatever it takes to get realigned and back on the path that will help you live into your best self.
If you are feeling alone in the process, let’s connect. I’ve got your back!!
Reflection:
Where do you need a realignment in your story?
What are you willing to do to make that happen?
What are some “performance” goals you are identifying as a result of this post?
Here’s to Growing Forward Together as you get realigned!!
Blessings,
Kinita
