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On-going Growth
and Healing

2024 was a year of physical upheaval for me. As I have aged, I have developed osteoarthritis, which over time, breaks down the cartilage in many of the joints of the body. In March, I had left hip replacement and then in September, I had an emergency back surgery. One of the discs in my lower back had disintegrated and the vertebrae just above it pressed down and buckled the nerves that send messages when I need to use the bathroom. I wasn't getting those messages. So the surgeon removed some of the bone that caused the nerves to buckle and within a few days, I was able to use the bathroom on my own again. [Normally, I would not share such personal stuff, as some may find it difficult.] My recovery has been difficult physically; I have struggled with wanting to increase my exercise efforts, but strained a muscle near that left hip. However, something quite remarkable happened during the 5-day hospital stay in the first part of recovering from my back surgery.

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I experienced a peace that I've never known before. I waited about 6 hours in the ER, until they could get me into the MRI. (There were 17 emergency MRI's that night, so I was one of a group.) About 3 am, I learned that I needed an emergency laminectomy and would be admitted. Then, there were so many emergency surgeries that needed to happen that I had to wait for a day and a half until they could fit me in. I went through all this will no unease at all. Many people were struggling with pain and horrible illness and somehow, I was in complete peace. It was like nothing I had ever experienced in all my life. That peace continued through the surgery and recovery; even though there was a lot of pain, peace covered me like I was enveloped in a down comforter. â€‹

Backtracking just a bit, I had struggled most of my life with a rotten habit of picking at my fingernails and cuticles, even until they bled. It began when I was a child and had warts on both of my thumbs. My parents did not take me to the doctor; I'm not even sure they even noticed them. I hated them so much, I tried to dig them out. Thus began the picking. I just dug and dug for months and never could get them out. But in the process, I learned that feeling the physical pain was easier than the constant emotional pain of the daily and nightly physical and emotional trauma I was enduring. I really don't fully understand this, but it is a documented aspect of PTSD that some victims suffer with. In addition, I would scratch other parts of my body until they bled, wanting to remove them from my body because that's where the pain was worst. I had tried to get rid of this habit for years, going to counseling, trying DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) in which I learned ways of using other activities to avoid doing the unwanted behavior, but nothing really worked. For at least 50 years, this has been a struggle in my life.

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​The peace that began in the ER has stayed with me not only through the surgery and recovery time in the hospital, but is now an on-going peace that envelopes my life. With the physical pain of recovery, I didn't notice it; but as my back healed, I realized from those first hours in the ER, I had no interest in picking anything. Four months later, for the first time in my life, I have healthy fingernails and have not scratched any part of my body. 

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I would have never expected that out of something as difficult as surgery, something so profoundly life-changing as this. I truly feel it is a gift of God. It has helped me to begin to see my life in a new perspective. Life is an on-going process of growth and healing. I have been seeking healing for so long; each step of healing and growth is something I cherish. What I have experienced is a strong transition from a lifetime of experiencing the aftermath of victimization to the normalization of what life should be. I am much more prepared to take the  next step.

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This week, I received a new article from Patricia Sarmiento, which delves into the subject of taking small steps that become the foundation for huge transformations. I really love how she pulls things together to make such a succinct and relevant article:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Image:

                                                                                                                                                                                                               Freepik

                              Small Steps, Big Impact:

               Long-Term Strategies for Personal Growth

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


Embarking on personal growth is a transformative endeavor that requires thoughtful strategies to ensure enduring success. Sustainable personal development involve integrating practices that foster continuous improvement without overwhelming oneself. By adopting methods that align with your lifestyle and goals, you can cultivate a resilient path toward self-improvement.


Prioritize Task Management
To effectively navigate your personal development journey, it’s crucial to focus on tasks that are important rather than just urgent. The Eisenhower Matrix is a strategic tool that categorizes tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. By prioritizing the “important but not urgent” tasks, you can make consistent progress toward your long-term goals without being derailed by immediate but less significant demands.

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Embrace Mindful Breathing for Stress Relief
Incorporating mindful breathing into your daily routine can be a powerful tool for managing stress and promoting a sense of calm. By setting aside just a few minutes each
day to focus on your breath, you can effectively reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity. Techniques like pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing are particularly beneficial, as they encourage controlled breathing patterns that can lower heart rates and reduce irritability. Consistent practice in a quiet space can help maintain emotional balance and ensure long-term benefits.


Give Your Career a Boost with Online Education
One of the most effective ways to enhance your personal development is through an online degree. This approach offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to study from virtually any location. Notably by pursuing an online cybersecurity degree, for instance, you can learn essential skills to protect digital infrastructures, a field that is increasingly vital as cyber threats evolve. Learn more about the curriculum for an online cybersecurity degree and how you can position yourself strategically in a growing industry, ensuring your career remains resilient and adaptable to future challenges.


Absorb Knowledge with Microlearning
To cultivate sustainable personal development, consider incorporating microlearning into your daily routine. This method involves breaking down information into concise, focused segments, typically lasting just a few minutes. Such an approach aligns perfectly with our fast-paced lives, allowing you to absorb knowledge without feeling overwhelmed. By concentrating on specific learning goals, you can maintain motivation and engagement, as each session offers a quick achievement that propels you forward.


Regularly Reassess Goals
To ensure your personal development strategies remain effective and aligned with your evolving goals, it’s essential to periodically evaluate and adjust them. By regularly assessing your progress using key performance indicators (KPIs), you can make informed decisions about necessary changes. This approach not only helps you stay on track but also allows you to adapt to new challenges and opportunities that arise. By adopting a mindset of continuous improvement, you can maintain momentum in your personal growth journey, ensuring long-term success.


Set Aside Time for Exercise
Incorporating regular physical exercise into your routine is a powerful strategy for sustainable personal development. By engaging in activities that boost endorphins, your
brain’s natural mood enhancers, you can effectively manage stress and enhance your mental well-being. Even a short burst of aerobic exercise, such as a five-minute walk, can have significant anti-anxiety effects. This approach not only improves your physical health 
but also stabilizes your emotions and enhances sleep quality. By focusing on consistent, manageable exercise, you create a balanced path toward long-term personal growth.


Engage in Self-Reflection
Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth, offering a chance to understand patterns, choices, and motivations on a deeper level. Taking time to evaluate your experiences allows you to identify strengths and areas needing improvement, helping to set meaningful goals. Regular reflection fosters self-awareness, making it easier to align actions with values and long-term aspirations. It also builds emotional resilience by encouraging a thoughtful response to challenges rather than reactive decisions. Incorporating these strategies into your life fosters a sustainable approach to personal development, ensuring that each step taken is purposeful and aligned with your aspirations. Whether through education, strategic planning, or self-care practices, these methods support a journey of continuous growth and resilience. By committing to these practices, you pave the way for a fulfilling and enduring path of personal advancement.


Discover the transformative power of faith and healing with inspiring works from Freda Emmons.

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