Yup! I'm making myself a priority

This last week I had the misfortune of having one of my ribs pop right out of place. Yes, Ouch! How did that happen you wonder. Well I'd like to give you a grandiose explanation, about how I had to chase down a bad guy and tackle'em to the ground for stealing an elders personal affects, but alas it more accurately went down a little more like this, I was washing my hair. What??? Yup, that's it. Washing. my. hair. See the chasing scenario was much better, but not true. There is a little more to the story though and this is the part that will make it worth telling.

I know you're thinking, Jeez, I hope so, because that certainly wasn't worth telling. I mean that wasn't even a story. I know. I know. Be patient I'm getting to it. So, there I was standing in the shower washing my hair and all of a sudden I hear this little click. Imagine the subtly of the sound of a finger nail clicking against another. It was that faint, but the affect was immediate. I knew it as soon as I heard it. Anything beyond a shallow breath delivered a great deal of discomfort. I knew I needed to get to the chiropractor as soon as I could and I did.

Four hours after the click, I was on my back, hugging a stuffed teddy bear while the doctor was compressing my ribcage against his hand on the table and hoping against hope for a click in the opposite direction. Attempt #1 - Nope. Attempt #2 - Nope. Damn!!! Ok, let's ice you for 20 minutes, get the inflammation down and try again. So, there I am with the ice on my back and my face squished in that little hole of the table talking to myself about all the things that make me feel better. Thinking everything I can to take my mind off the pain. Meditating on allowing healing to flow into my existance and before I know it the ice has numbed me.

Let's try one more time,... Here's the bear. Take a deep breathe,... compression. Nope. Ok, he says, My recommendation for you is to go home and stay on your back. Ice 20 min on, 40 off for the rest of the day and follow up with another attempt at adjustment. Now. I have to admit, in the past, I would have taken that recommendation and gone right back to work. Not now. I have learned to do what is BEST for me. I called in to work and said I would not be back for the rest of the day.

I took myself home and did exactly as I was instructed. I set a timer and for the next 3 or 4 hours, I iced 20 on and 40 off. I also added a bit of my own knowledge to the process. My genius contribution was to take a little muscle relaxer. That landed me in the bed, sleeping for over 12 hours, but do you know what. When I woke up, that rib was right back where it was supposed to be.

How I felt from one day to the next was like night and day. It felt like a miracle and I believe it was, indeed. I also believe my relief was a direct result of my deliberate intention. In the past I would neglected what was recommended because I wouldn't have wanted to disappoint anyone by being abscent from where I was expected to be. This particuar day I realized I had an opportunity to be true to my authentic self and the only thing that mattered was how good I felt. It felt amazing to do what was right for me. It seems like such a little thing, but to me it was huge. I finally made myself my own #1 priority and boy did I reap the benefits.

A story worth telling? I already know my answer. ;)