Life has a peculiar way of forcing us to pause, whether we’re ready for it or not, and these moments of enforced stillness can become teaching moments.
After two months in a cast and boot following surgery on my right ankle, last weekend was the first time I could walk with both shoes. (I still rely on my new best friend, a walking stick). I have a couple of months ahead of me with physio and strengthening exercises to return to normality.
This period taught me a lot: how many things we take for granted in everyday life, the importance of patience in the healing process, and the wisdom of the body. Healing takes the time it takes. I don’t remember a period in my adult life where all movement was restricted to hopping from the bed to the sofa, and everything was done for me.
I will write a series of blog posts exploring these discoveries. In the meantime, I invite you to reflect on your own moments of unexpected pause. When was the last time life made you stop? What lessons emerged from that stillness? Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that these interruptions, much like my experience with ankle surgery, aren’t merely obstacles to overcome but opportunities to reassess our relationship with ourselves and our daily routines.
These insights needn’t come from injury or illness. The next time you find yourself frustrated by a forced pause – be it a delayed train, a lengthy queue, or a broken lift – take a moment to observe your reactions. What might this moment be teaching you about patience, adaptability, or the art of being still in a world that never stops moving?
Pausing
