Dooley Noted: 11/7/2015
This week, Monday through Friday, I worked 90 hours.
In a five day span, I trained four times, in line with my program.
After my long Friday workday, I trekked to Newark to make my flight to Phoenix, where I would attend a seminar – instead of teaching one, for a change.
I missed my flight.
First, I cursed my fate.
But on the long train ride home from Jersey, I realize I hadn’t taken a full day off in five weeks.
I woke up this morning at my normal time: 4:30 AM.
But this time, I had nowhere to be and no immediately pending work.
I had a minor moment of anxiety, since I’m used to filling every moment.
I needed something to do.
So, I checked my mail for the first time in weeks.
My strongman skills coach, Chris Rider, had sent me some anti-anxiety help in the form of these hot water bottles. He knows breathing is the only way out of anxiety.
But before I could get to that, I opened a thank-you card from my Skype client, Stacy Hennis, in California.
An email wasn’t enough to express her gratitude, so she hand-wrote one of the best thank-you notes of my life.
Some highlights:
“I don’t know where I’d be today without your knowledge, skills and expertise. I know I’d be existing, not living.”
“I love how you give such amazing encouragement, the best smiles, and then finally give hell when you need to!”
“Make sure to take care of you along the way.”
I read the card over and over, understanding that this unexpected day off could be a day of reflection.
So, I breathed as I coach my patients to breathe.
I smiled at my good fortune in having a job I adore.
You can curse your fate for the negative outcome you perceive.
Or, you can laugh at your fate for giving you a chance to see the good you do in the world.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
P.S. Thank you, Chris and Stacy, for making my day special.