We all go through life experiences. These experiences often challenge us, hurt us, encourage us, but ultimately help us grow if we allow them to. Our perspective as we walk out this one life we are given matters. Perspective helps drive us to take action no matter the circumstance. Determining what is important to us can give us the courage to take action, and the ability to determine what action is right and best despite how we feel.

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Deep down most of us know what is right. Most of us know when something isn’t right in our hearts or when someone or something is causing unrest in our souls. We have an internal compass inside of us that knows. But do we listen? Do we take action on what we know is right and best? Do we choose to act no matter how uncomfortable it is?

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Making changes in life no matter how big or small can be enlightening, exciting, but also very uncomfortable, even painful. I had experiences post op with physical therapy professionals that if I am honest, were not good. I won’t go into all the details of why, because the purpose is not to condemn anyone. But I will share the impact of one of the sessions.

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I showed up for this session, as I usually do, encouraged, hopeful, and ready to do what I need to do to get better. I was fully aware of everything going on the entire hour. I have been in the physical therapy profession since 2006 and have grown/ learned a lot about what good care looks like. I was heartbroken by the experience. I left this session with severe pain and inability to move my arm, none of which was there walking into the session. The hope I had faded and sadness and discouragement replaced the hope. As I was walking out, tears streamed down my face and the most awful thoughts filled my mind. These were thoughts I had never experienced before. This session left me feeling like my life was attacked, every part of it, all at one time. I have been through a lot in life, but nothing like this.

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Because I know myself well, I was able to walk through this maturely despite the intense emotions I was experiencing. I chose to focus on what I knew was right and best for myself and what I valued over the feelings. I experienced great conflict for at least a solid week. I knew what I needed to do, but the emotional pain associated with this experience was so great, it was very difficult. Within a couple days I made the decision to discontinue the care, this eliminated much of the conflict and allowed me to begin to heal from the experience. Because this is someone that I knew, it was a very difficult decision to make. But I knew what was right and chose to do it. The impact of this decision affected other relationships that I valued as well as my physical therapy care and recovery for the next 5 weeks. In time, despite the significant impact, things began working out. My ortho doc and his pa are awesome and they helped me address the impact of the setback from a physical standpoint. Between them and one of my good PT friends, my concerns were taken seriously and addressed.

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When we ignore what we know is right and best, this impacts our health and fitness. It impacts our ability to be consistent and make progress. This looks different for different people. It could impact sleep, eating, recovery, thinking, or workouts. The stress of ignoring what we know is right impacts us and it usually remains until taking action. Taking action on what we know is right, no matter how uncomfortable it is, frees us and allows us to move forward in a way that will support us and your journey. It will help you grow into the person you were meant to be. We will show up more authentically and with intention. We will begin to see value in ourselves and will make health and exercise decisions that change our lives for the better.

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Action step

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You know yourself well. You have an internal compass that tells you when something isn’t right. Do you listen to this? Why or why not? What prevents you from taking action on what you know is right?

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Has there been a time in your life that you knew what was right but didn’t take action? How did this impact your health and fitness journey? Your life? Did you eventually take action? What was the result?

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You know yourself. Deep down you know. I encourage you to take action on the things you know are right and best for you. Don’t stay in any situation because of fear of what could happen. Choose what you know is right. No matter how uncomfortable it is, your and your health are worth the risk and discomfort you may experience. You are valuable and your life will be more meaningful and impactful if you do that thing you know you should do. So why not do it?

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