I’m back on Day 1.
(Remember, there is no shame in day 1).

How is your Complaint Free challenge going?

I find it a gift from the Universe that I am going through the Complaint Free challenge with all of you while at the same time having this painful shoulder surgery. I feel both greatly supported and very much called into integrity knowing that I’m committed to sharing this process.

Many of you have thanked me for my honesty and candor during this experience. Well, I didn’t post yesterday because I just didn’t feel like it. How’s that for honesty?

It’s been just over a week since the surgery and I’m still having fitful nights with little sleep and lots of pain. One of the side effects of the pain medication is a difficulty in breathing and sometimes I wake up in pain and anxiety.

I have said many times that “Those who hurt, or hurting.” Well, let me put it another way:

day 1 x 11“People who ARE a pain to deal with, are typically IN pain, themselves—either physically, emotionally or psychologically.”

They deserve our compassion not our reaction.

As a result of my lack of sleep, consistent pain, and the anxiety enhancing side effect of the medication, I am not at my best. Someone disagreed with me yesterday just as a wave of pain hit and I caught myself being rude—and then later complaining. Hence, I am on Day 1.

If we did not experience any suffering ourselves, we would not be able to have compassion for the suffering others. Once again, I am grateful for this process because it is teaching me greater compassion.

I want to remember this and keep it ever before me:

“People who ARE a pain to deal with, are typically IN pain, themselves—either physically, emotionally or psychologically.”

They deserve our compassion not our reaction.

PS: I’ll see this person again today and will apologize. When you have a mess the only thing required is to clean it up.