February 2009:

I was referred to orthopaedic surgeon January 2009 as the stress fracture was now constantly painful even when sitting or standing. He said the MRI scans from October (near 4-months prior) displayed a very problematic injury. He sent me for Isotope nuclear bone scans. By this stage I was limping and had already cancelled gym membership and put bicycle in storage. Any form of exercise was impossible.

Results of scans arrived: “Lizanne, I cannot emphasise enough how problematic this is. The pubic ramus bone is detached from pelvis. You must take absolute rest for minimum of 3-months. This is the only way it will ever heal. This means avoid walking from A-to-B. For 2-months of this on crutches to alleviate any weight bearing". I couldn’t believe that 4-months later this was even worse - despite not ever running/jogging in all these months but only some low-impact gym classes.

The main challenge initially was adjusting the mind to accept this long-term plan of absolute rest! I now needed to plan alternative evening and weekend activities to keep constantly distracted in order to further deal with this now constant and absolute enforced ‘rest’ for at LEAST 3 months! These activities would need to ensure minimum movement of course! I have now revisited my old passion of playing piano. Thankfully I haven’t forgotten the basics. I am also learning Spanish for beginners. I don’t necessarily aim to become a fluent speaker but enough to engage in general conversation. It’s not only the most widely spoken language in our world but also a beautiful and generally ‘easy’ language to learn. My main priority is to spend every weekend with friends and family. I’m enjoying re-living earlier days again by getting the train to different parts of Ireland to spend weekends with family and friends. Over the past few years my evenings after work/college running consisted of running and/or gym before any ‘relaxation’ time. The weekends also needed to consist of at least 1-decent run before chilling out. Things have changed a lot….

This huge change has been a struggle initially but I’m surprised at how quick and easy I have adapted! It was very upsetting and frustrating to accept even more bad news considering the non-stop misfortunes of the previous 22-months. After a few weeks of a very slowed down self, I feel my mentality and attitude is completely changed for the better. I have become far more laid back and happy. I’m really enjoying all this new increased time catching up with friends and family and taking up previous hobbies including lots of reading. The pain continues however and I'm still limping and using crutch (I won’t bring it to work though!). I’m learning and adopting some very important things already. The main attitude shift is no longer (1) complaining about on-going issues (2) dwelling on past circumstances (3) any negativity… A shift to only positive thoughts and energies has made me feel ultimately content, at ease and in control again :-)

“When you think negative thoughts and feelings, you are simply separating yourself from the world and others by sending out negative energy signals. Therefore, only attracting like back to like so more negativity and misfortune!

Competition is an example of separation – coming from a lack of mentality as you are saying there is a limited supply. (I have always been very competitive in every aspect of life). By doing this, you are saying that there is not enough for everybody so we have to compete and fight to get things. When you compete you can never win, even when you think you have won. By the law of attraction, as you compete you will attract many people and circumstances to compete against you! This I now understand :-)

A person who sets their mind on the dark side of life, who lives over and over the misfortunes and disappointments of the past is essentially praying for similar misfortunes and disappointments in future. If you will see nothing but ill luck in the future, you are asking for such ill luck! If you go back over your life and focus on the difficulties from the past, you are just bringing more of this into your life. By deliberately focusing only on what we want, we begin to radiate good feelings.

This is why I have chosen to accept this new way of thinking and break free from my previous patterns, routine and ways of thinking. To do this I am maintaining an awareness of my present thoughts and feelings and adjusting when necessary. I have a reminder throughout the day o become aware of my thoughts and feelings and adjust these if they are negative thoughts. Every day I am now also acknowledging gratitude for what I do have and what I can and will have. I have never had the time to think of just how grateful I am for all the positive things! Our thoughts are constantly being emitted, returning and creating our future. This may sound like the typical “self-help” baloney or just a simple affirmation "positive thinking" process… but it's a lot deeper than that. The law of attraction really IS “The Secret" to life...