With my recent quad rupture injury and subsequent surgery, I have found that my philosophy has been put to the test. Several times, my thoughts have wandered back to that moment when it happened. I begin to think about any number of alternative methods of moving a freezer and how all of them wouldn’t have led to this injury.
I then stop myself, as my stoic philosophy takes hold. A stoic does not dwell on those things out of his or her control. Instead, we must focus on what is in our control. My current mindset is under my control. So, I will set my mind to healing and recovery.
A stoic also must prepare for the worst to happen, so that when it does happen, they can be ready. As a follower of the Wim Hof Method, I have been practicing cold therapy, breathing, and mindfulness for well over a year now. These methods have been studied and shown to aid in pain relief and to speed up the healing process. While I’ve been using it simply to improve my health and mind, I have also been preparing for this day.
And the day has come. Why should I be angry or upset? I have trained for this, and can finally take the test that I’ve been preparing for.
Featured photo by Simon Migaj on Unsplash
The Shaw Show 