It was Saturday April 11th, now ten days ago. I remember enjoying the sun on my body, whilst sitting on my little tractor mowing the lawn. Nice and relaxed, just cruising 😎
I’ve just finished a series of 10 webinars with coaches and HR-pro’s from all around the world in response to what’s going on with Covid19. With no other intention but to inspire and support each other. Just get together and exchange our vision and ideas. What and how to create from the current mess. How to take care of each other as well as off ourselves.
In those same weeks I recorded several videos, underlining we’re all ‘just’ human beings. Human beings with in essence very, very similar basic needs. Groups I asked special attention for were the elderly and other fragile groups, such as addicts and people who live alone. To not forget about them, knowing they need (y)our support now more than ever!
And then, a few hours later, I just made one wrong move…
One move that totally turned things upside down…
Long story short, I ended up in hospital with a seriously herniated disc with very little strength in the right leg and foot.
From mowing the lawn, to taken to hospital by ambulance and wheeled into the Intensive Care.
No visits possible. So here I was, alone, afraid and fragile…
Yesterday, after 10 days horizontal and still ongoing heavy medication, I celebrated being on my feet again for the first time. It was both a moment of victory as well as of fear. Will my legs carry me? It was an emotional moment where tears of relief blended with tears of joy.
The physiotherapist in the hospital took a picture of me, whilst standing behind the walking support. When I looked at the picture I thought ‘yak, I look horrible, I’m a mess!!’
When we’re being portrayed, we want to look good, right? To the max silly, not like this…
Earlier in this process, when I had an off day, I already reconnected with the fighter in me. I realised that feeling sorry for myself wouldn’t help me conquer this one. The fighter in me was awakened, check ✔
Today I realized that there is another essential factor I need to deal with: my ego.
As long as I feel embarrassed for having my picture taken under such circumstances, I’ll keep fighting my biggest enemy: myself. I’m convinced that, with the right people around me, I’m going to turn this dust to gold. I need to get over myself to support and inspire myself and others to create from the current mess.
This is just my little story. Probably you’ve got yours. Where in your life is your ego getting in your way of simply being human and creating from the mess? Leave a comment below and support and inspire others with your story.
BE well. DO good.
Alex Verlek, © April 2020
Some personal notes from Hopital de Die.
I’m writing to you from my bed at the intensive care. In the hospital with the most beautiful name – “Hopital de Die”. And yes, you’re allowed to laugh..:-)
All of a sudden these words, intensive care, hit me. I’m very optimistic, all will be well soon, yet isn’t it underlining how fragile we are?
And dammed Alex, when will you learn…:“A few years ago you wrote the chapter ‘Fragile’ after you also ended up in hospital.”
Next to reconsidering if I really need to do all I’ve got on my plate, the biggest lesson is to enjoy life to the fullest: NOW!
This is why today I wanted to share chapter 5 – “Fragile” from my “soon to be published” audiobook with you.
Listen to it here:
Once you’ve had a chance to listen to it, I’d love to hear from you.
If I would not be given a “tomorrow”, what would I do today?
Leave a comment below and let me know.