Turning Poison into Medicine

Davida

2/18/23

I get a lot of flat tires for some reason. I had another one this week while I was in the city. This time I know it was my fault because before getting out of my car I flipped a u-turn to park and hit the curb. I didn’t think it was a hard hit. But when I came out of my meeting the tire was flat. 

Crap!

Surely most will agree having a flat tire sucks. A sudden inconvenience that can side track part or all of your day. If you’re in nice clothes or in a dark and wet location, double or triple the hassle. 

I had a few options. I could’ve called AAA and hope they might send someone by the end of the day (I’ve learned service is really bad anymore). I could’ve called my awesome husband to disturb his work day and drive 30 minutes to help. I could’ve tried to waved down a stranger. But no one was slowing or stopping to see if I needed help, which made me question my attractiveness (this is a topic for another day). 

I chose the final and most reasonable option, change the damn thing myself. As I said I get a lot of flat tires, so I’ve had practice in the snow and rain. To increase my annoyance, on this day I was wearing light grey pants and shirt.

Welp, I said to me, don’t argue with reality. The tire is flat and needs to be changed. 

As I unpacked the spare, I started to feel empowered. I thought about all the things that were in my favor. It was a sunny day and I was on a quiet street. I wasn’t in a hurry. I was feeling good without backache or sprained body parts. I had an extra pair of comfortable shoes so I wasn’t performing this task in heels. Plus, I had the knowledge and experience to get it done. And I did! The best part, I didn’t get my light colored closed dirty. Victory!

That last time I got a flat, about a year ago, it was a cold winter night on a dark stretch of the interstate. Too dangerous for me to attempt fixing on my own. After my hubby swooped to my rescue I speculated that I must have some karma to workout with flat tires. Humph! He scoffed, you just drive a lot. He saw it as chance of circumstance and maybe I shouldn’t be gallivanting out and about all the time.  

My daily mindful practices are teaching me to look more closely at my life condition. Instead of being deterred or discouraged by annoyances and challenges, I’m looking for meaning and opportunity. Growth comes slowly staying inside my home. By venturing out everyday, shits gonna happen. And I get to rise and conquer. 

Where I first felt diminished because no one was offering help for my tire, I soon felt emboldened. As I was wrestling with the lug nut to remove the wheel, I felt badass.  I started thinking, I don’t need no f’ing help.  I slayed that tire and was driving off with in 20 minutes. 

The experience started as unpleasant but I ended up feeling empowered. It was an evil poison that could’ve soured my mood and stressed my body for the rest of the day. Instead, I am riding a wave of confidence into the next week. I’m excited to see what else I can accomplish. 

Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda says: “Everything depends on what is in our hearts. If we decide to our-selves that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even something that is possible for us will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, then we are already one step closer to achieving it in reality.”

I struggle with self doubt, always questioning whether I’m good enough. I’m growing out of it by noticing triggers for these feelings. I’m paying attention to the language in my body. And celebrating the wins. I was my own super hero this week and it felt great! Maybe this is a turning point for me and flat tires! May my next life lesson be beyond this experience. 

What debilitating poison can you turn into life empowering medicine this week? 

Try meditating on your solar plexus chakra, the energy center located between your navel and ribs. Expand your breath into the belly and feel the bright sunny light of courage and will power ignite and reverberate through your body. Do it often. Then go for it! Live your best life!

#

About

A really fun person!

2 Comments on “Turning Poison into Medicine

  1. Davida, I loved you shared this frustrating experience. Thank you for looking for the positives of this rotten experience to be more and learn more about your abilities to confront the adversities of life. I will reflect on this situation as this type of inconvenience enters my daily life! I so appreciate you!! Lois

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*