Only 5 to go before I go to therapy and get to walk again!

Reviewing Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, Ph. D.:

P. 82 “We bring alive the spirit of Radical Acceptance when, instead of resisting emotional pain, we are able to say yes to our experience. Pat Rodegast writes, “So walk with your heaviness, saying yes. Yes to the sadness, yes to the whispered longing. Yes to the fear. Love means setting aside walls, fences, and unlocking doors, and saying yes …. One can be in paradise by simply saying yes to this moment.” The instant we agree to feel fear or vulnerability, greed or agitation, we are holding our life with an unconditionally friendly heart.

P. 84 “There are many ways of sending the message of yes to our inner life. We can whisper, “it’s okay” or even a welcoming “Hello” – silently or softly out loud – in response to a painful emotion. Yes might also be an image or a gesture. A friend of mine mentally visualizes herself bringing her palms together and bowing to what has appeared. When she feels the grip of anxiety, anger or guilt, she imagines bowing to it with a sense of genuine respect. I sometimes lightly place my hand on my heart and send a message of acceptance and care to whatever is arising in me.

“Thich Nhat Hanh calls his practice of yes “smile yoga.” He suggests bringing a slight but real smile to our lips many times throughout the day, whether we are meditating or simply stopping for a red light. “A tiny bud of a smile on your lips,” writes Thich Nhat Hanh, “nourishes awareness and calms you miraculously . . . Your smile will bring happiness to you and to those around you.” The power of a smile to open and relax us is confirmed by modern science. The muscles used to make a smile actually send a biochemical message to our nervous system that it is safe to relax the flight, fight or freeze response. A smile is the yes of unconditional friendliness that welcomes experience without fear.”

This book has helped me through many difficult situations in my life. Where she writes Buddha I envision Christ. I must practice Radical Acceptance if I am to endure this seated recovery with any grace at all. I have needed to apply the smile to several situations already. Likely there are more to come!

 I made it to eye doctor appointment. Had my eyes dilated which I abhor. Stayed calm throughout the evening by conscious effort. Next day I was tired from the excursion and effort.

This week I get my stitches out and also see the Internist. Two adventures, woohoo!