Saturday, December 1, 2012

They always come in threes

The answers always come in threes for me.

Usually I'm fairly competent at getting through my life. Sometimes, though, I get stuck on a problem. I don't realize I'm stuck for a while, though. I keep on examining the issue, from various angles and "what ifs", and my feelings get exhausting, and I lie awake at night.  Then I find myself in a willpower-induced corner, surrounded by ugly barking dogs - pretty much trapped. That's when I realize I'm stuck. And, as a last resort, I say, "Okay, Universe, I'm stuck. Please give me the insight on what I should do, and give me the willingness to do it."

You know what? I ALWAYS get the answer. It comes within just a few days, and from three separate places I wouldn't have expected. That's how I know it's the answer.


Here's a very recent example.


Back in May of 2011, I was on vacation and sat in a chair that was a couple of inches lower than its companions in the room. Immediately I felt the nerves in my back objecting in my legs, and within two hours both of my feet were tingling.  Within three days the accompanying balance issues had resolved, but not the tingling. Apparently there had been a major nerve root insult, and nerves take lots of time to heal. They have been healing for a year and a half now, and while improved, they're still annoying.

Over the next six months I saw two doctors and had three MRIs. The doctors assure me these things take time, or sometimes they never heal and I should live with the sensations in my feet, and the MRIs look normal. Still, I worried this issue in my head nearly every day, and lay awake at night with my feelings.

Finally, about three weeks ago I said to the Universe, "Okay. I've been asking for over a year now to be a good sport about this, but now I'm changing my request. I want this issue to be healed." And then I said the magic words: "Please give me the insight on what I should do, and the willingness to do it."

Then I flew to Alaska to spend Thanksgiving with my sister. She is about three quarters through nursing school. In my dozenth, at least, conversation with her about this back issue, I commented that the tingling in my feet is somewhat positional. When I'm in my car, for example, with its lumbar support, it's much less annoying than when I'm lying on the couch.  And she said, "Then at least part of the problem is postural." Had I never told her about the positional issue? It had honestly never occurred to me. That's ONE. 

Last year, when I whined about my feet in a blog, a blogging friend named Murr suggested an exercise followed by a "get back to me". I did.  She recommended a book called Pain Free. I bought the book immediately, did the back exercises for three days. Nothing changed. I put the book away. Last week I was going through books I'd planned to donate to the library and came upon the book. I decided to read it! By the time I'd finished the first three chapters, I knew my back issue was at least partly postural. The book suggested ways - not just back exercises, but others - to help. I started doing the exercises. That's TWO.

I got a massage last week. I talked to my therapist about my back. He said, "That postural thing makes a lot of sense. The muscles that need to be supporting your lumbar spine are weak, and the right exercises can strengthen them." That's THREE.

So I made an appointment for next week with a practitioner specializing in the techniques recommended in Pain Free.  I am hopeful.  

It could be that my foot discomfort is here to stay. But maybe not. The point is that, when I pay attention, I get answers. If I rely upon my willpower and then sink into victimhood, I may not.

Here's to the Universe! And thank you again, Murr.


19 comments:

Linda Reeder said...

This is a topic I am very interested in. My back problem, which is diagnosed as spondylolisthesis, is acting up again and causing pressure on the sciatic nerve, this time on my left leg. Before I took charge of my body and lost weight as well as exercising, my right leg had been affected. It's causing me a lot of discomfort and I am thinking after christmas it will be time to seek medical attention again and get an update of what best to do and what I can expect. I have no doubt that surgery is in my future. I just don't know when.
I will be following your progress.

Simone said...

That's amazing that after all the time you were seeking answers, the answers were close to you. I hope that you're able to get to the bottom of the problem.

June said...

Ah. Willingness. I remember that.
Thanks for the reminder.

DJan said...

This sounds very hopeful, Linda. I look forward to hearing how it all unfolds, now that all these nudges from the universe point one direction. Very interesting, too! :-)

Perpetua said...

Now you're really listening to the answers, Linda, I too hope they work for you.

Mind you, three days for exercises to make a difference is asking a bit much. When I had an inflamed hip and was given exercises and physiotherapy to deal with it, it took nearer three months for the issue to resolve itself. Healing takes time and patiently doing the exercises takes time too, but is worth it.

Olga said...

There is wisdom in the universe. You gave us an important reminder to listen. I am sure many of us needed it.

Buttercup said...

Here's to the universe! I've got some nerve pain -- from a spinal tumor -- that's healing. No idea when it will be healed, but it's working along.

Ms Sparrow said...

I would dearly love to believe that there is a Universal "something" that can guide us in our thinking. I guess I'm just too much trapped inside my own head to expand my mind to that extent. I just trust to time and dumb luck to get my solutions. Once in a while it works. I'm so glad that the Universe responds to those of you who are in tune with it!

Rosaria Williams said...

I guess working at the problem finally gave you some results! Sometimes doctors don't think of the simplest solution first, and after zillions of tests that don't produce results, they put their hands up.

Galen Pearl said...

That is amazing--the three thing. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our answers were so clearly reaffirmed. I'm going to start watching for that sort of thing. Fascinating.

Tom said...

So true . . . self-discipline is vastly overrated. Doing something about it usually works much better. I've gotta keep your rule of 3 in mind for future reference.

Pearl said...

I agree that letting it be known that you need help is a great way to get it!

Pearl

Grandmother Mary said...

I like your process and I hope you come up with helpful exercises. I'm a retired nurse and the postural issue makes sense and the importance of strengthening your muscles that support your back. I remember when I was given abdominal exercises for back pain for the same reason. Worked for me.

Friko said...

I need to try this approach. See if asking the universe for help works for me too.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Good for you, I need to start trusting what the Universe throws at me instead of scoffing at it. Or at least not opening my eyes and ears to see and hear what its telling me. I hope you're back to yourself very soon. As someone going through freakiness right now that won't seem to quit I know its not only annoying but frustrating and disheartening to have things in limbo. Take your cues and I'm taking this advice from you to do the same. feel better soon!

Pamela said...

I am heading over to check out the book. Lots of pain here due to fibromyalgia and a slight curvature to my spine. Thanks for sharing this.

Dee said...

Dear Linda, thank you so much for posting about your three indicators that the pain in your foot is positional.
And for giving us the prayer/mantra that you say when you feel stuck.

Right now I'm feeling stuck about two things and I've stewed and mused and pondered and deliberated and in general muddled my mind until I cannot see the forest for the trees. So your prayer/mantra is going to be said tonight as I lay in bed before turning off the light.

I trust that the Universe will respond in time to my prayer and that three surprising things will said or events will occur that will give me a path out of the prison of my own worry. Thank you again. Peace.

Anonymous said...

I have spinal stenosis, and the posture thing is very important to me. If I sit the wrong way with my neck craned downward, my fingers go numb. I have exercises to do and they help. I also have different positions for my neck when the tingling comes on. Makes all the difference in the world. Sure hope you get your issues straightened out and can learn to live with whatever is causing the tingling.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Ah yes those kind of things happen at my end too. When all gets gloomy I ask for some support from the universe and somehow it comes. I smile:) HUGS and my you enjoy the light!