It is a “Fall on outstretched hand.” And it hurts.

I fell in front of my house when I tripped over a gap in the sidewalk. I tore the rotator cuff of my right arm. Right now I’m navigating our medical system. And I’m waiting for my doctor’s advice. My doctors said:

  • No Bicycling
  • No Instrument Playing

Wow! What a change of plans that is. I had to cancel my Creative Strings Workshop and my bicycling vacation. And I need surgery.

At first, I was quite upset. My injury is not acute enough to warrant immediate attention. But it is acute enough to change my lifestyle right now.

So, I have time to do things I’ve been putting off. Such as follow through with financial planning. And work with a business coach on my dreams for my next chapter. It’s not all bad.

I have even come up with more creative ideas in teaching. These include composing and arranging. These ideas are new to my students. And they are continuing to practice and improve.

In one of my meditation groups I once learned,

“Pain is certain, suffering is optional.”

This is a wise way of looking at what comes our way. We cannot change what happens to us. We can choose the way we react.

The injury is temporary. And it gives me time to reflect and be thankful for the good things in my life.