Yesterday I was taken by surprise.

I had hand surgery. I knew I was going to the hospital for 1:00 pm. I knew I was going for a procedure to release my carpal tunnel. I even read about it. It seemed simple enough, in and out in a few minutes. My impression was I would leave with a little band-aid on my hand where the incision was made.

Things transpired differently than expected 

My first inkling that things were to transpire differently was when the surgeon used a huge gauze and wrapped my hand and wrist (halfway up my forearm) with a tensor bandage and told me to come back in two weeks to get the stitches out. My realization of the situation became clearer as I drove myself home. My left hand was not very helpful with the steering wheel. In fact, it could not grasp the steering wheel at all.

Suck it up

Then I got home and tried to zip up my jeans – impossible. Immediately I was frustrated and upset with my circumstances. I had plans for the week and I needed the use of my left hand for it. The frustration turned to tears and then questioning, why the tears? I had been through worse.”Suck it up”, I told myself, “this is nothing in the scheme of things.”

Invited to hold compassionate space for myself

So again I am being asked to hold compassionate space for myself to heal. It seems to be a theme for me over the past few years. Over and over being asked to hold compassionate space for myself. Obviously, I have more to learn. So that is my plan for the next week or so, be compassionate to myself. Speak to my poor sweet hand in the manner I would a hurt child.

Self-compassion is such an important lesson.

I am still learning. How about you? Where do you need to hold compassionate space for yourself?

Remember you are amazing. You are capable and you deserve self-compassion.