Wednesday, October 07, 2009

injury promotes thinking

A lot has happened since my last post.

.....but a lot of the memories have already been faded away by bigger happenings in my life.

Fast forward.

Triple Crown: the first competition of a 3 bouldering-competition-series. Boone, North Carolina. Hound Ears.

It was a beautiful day. PERFECT weather. Good people.

I was working on this climb called Flash or Trash. It was a classic v5 in the area.

I was getting so close!

Finally I was near the top, going for the last HUGE hold. I hit it with two fingers and fell. Bam.

I screamed as my foot hit the ground. I never scream like that.

My foot started burning. It felt like it was on fire.

Oh well, i just sprained it... or rolled it.... thats what i kept saying to myself.

But I couldn't walk. i couldn't stand up. I couldn't even wiggle my toes.

I camped out in extreme pain. I grinned and bared it all through the award ceremony and after party as i sat in Friksn's booth.

The next day we drove back to Chattanooga.

We went to the ER to get X-rays... which is all a story within itself.

Long story short, I broke my heel. It is in 3 or 4 pieces.

This week I am not allowed to do anything. I have to keep it VERY elevated 24/7. I'm not allowed to go to class... I'm not even allowed to get up for more than 5 minutes at a time with crutches.

I was sooooooo bummed at first. I couldn't stop crying. The climbing season JUST started and I will be missing it.

But after a few days, I have a whole new mindset.

healing is 90% in the mind.... and it starts now. I am so happy that I healed so quickly and that my foot is in perfect condition. I am so excited to be able to climb again. I am so grateful for this slow-down in my life and the opportunity to THINK and PRIORITIZE my life! I know exactly why this happened and I am so thankful for it. LIFE IS GOING JUST THE WAY I WANT IT TO GO!

I was EXTREMELY stressed before this. I was crying myself to sleep every night. School was taking a huge toll on my mental health. It was not good. I didn't have time to do anything I wanted to do. I wasn't doing enough climbing, I hadn't had time to make ANY art, I didn't have time for meditation or time to think.... But now I do.

I have had many epiphanies over the past few weeks and even a 'calling.' This accident is the first step in the right direction.

My life just formed 2 separate paths... I'm taking the new one.

It sucks that it had to happen in this way, but it'll all work out in the end. I am healing fast.

I can't wait for my new life to begin.

5 comments:

Sarah said...

sending you happy healing quickly thoughts!!

Omegachuck said...

Ouch.!!..broke my ankle, and had long surgery heal time after that(but I'm old and brittle) Hope you can get on with all you want to do very soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, Ashley...well, you did need some rest, didn't you? I hope you aren't in too much pain. Love, Laurie

Wendy said...

What insight you have! You are light years ahead of me in spiritual maturity. I am so glad you saw this break for what it truly is--a momentous beginning to the next exciting chapter in your life. I am standing at a fork as well. I just can't tell which road to pick yet. Perhaps I need to meditate this weekend to get in touch with my future.

Omegachuck said...

My 'fork in the road' came in 1980 when a serious car accident pulled me off a planned Himalayan expedition. Replacements died in avalanche so I've been carefully reconsidering all my choices in life ever since. Let your mind search out all possibilites during your recuperation time.