Last week I went in for a couple of routine vaccinations. However, I had an extreme reaction and ended up needing some emergency medical intervention. As I was lying on the gurney, the pain in my head exploding, my stomach lurching, and my arm throbbing, I knew that I would eventually get through it, I just wanted to know how many more days of miserableness I would be facing (this was my second trip to the ER in three days).
Of course the coaching indicator of “how much longer” flipped in my head. Usually when we want to know “how much longer” we are resisting whatever we are going through. The coach in me wanted to coach myself through the pain, but the rest of me felt that that was a dumb idea because anyone in their right mind would be resisting the pain.
No. I obviously wasn’t thinking rationally either.
However, I did have a moment of clarity while I was arguing with myself. A scripture was brought to my mind, “ be unto thy soul; thine and thine afflictions shall be but a moment” (D&C 121:7).
I knew that this would pass. I was pretty sure that I wasn’t going to die. Yes, three days had felt like forever, but it would only be a blip. This was enough to give me hope and allowed me to lean into the pain, to quit resisting how I felt. Things would be better, eventually… I didn’t know when, but that no longer mattered.
Now, three days beyond that, still a little head-achy and queasy, and favoring my arm, I have gratitude. It was but a small moment that gave me a grand perspective.
If you have any questions about coaching or how coaching can help you, I am searching for 100 practice clients (for certification hours) and am offering a free coaching session for the first 100 people to sign up. Sign up at https://calendly.com/wandahusted
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