water falling

February 6, 2022

I have been in Arkansas these last two weeks healing from a back ache or injury. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but the pain was constant and every day. I don’t have health insurance, so going to the doctor wasn’t an option. I’ve been using heat, anti-inflammatories, and resting. It seems to be working. Perhaps taking a break from the car and sleeping on the ground is helping too. Although, to be honest, the walls that surround me at night are kind of making me a little crazy after sleeping outside.

Today I felt well enough to go exploring. A short hike to a waterfall to keep my spirits flowing. It’s difficult to live in pain. I’ve had these thoughts and dreams of traveling. Now suddenly I can’t sit in my car comfortably, dance, or tie my shoes without struggling. It was easy for mind to get caught on a negative loop. Thinking of this as an end, instead of a time of healing.

While walking to the waterfall, slowly, I was reminded of all the progress that I had made that week in my movement. The noise of the water falling and flowing filled my ears and reminded me that everything moves at a speed that is changing constantly. This is my time to rest and slow down. Just as the water falls fast and then collects in a pool to rest before moving down the creek at a trickle.