I wish someone had told me about lessons in patience and perspective

“I wish someone had told me” is a series of posts that feed into our inquisitive nature at CN&CO. Each week we hear from someone in our network about something interesting or surprising that’s recently happened or occurred to them – or lessons they learnt. These blogs are a way to pay it forward and form part of CN&CO’s belief that the world can be a better place – and we all have a responsibility to make it so. This week’s post is by Kurt Solomon

Life’s unexpected twists and turns teach us to embrace patience, find humour and perspective in the frustrating moments, and appreciate the small things that surrounds us.

Have you ever had one of those moments where life surprises you with an unexpected turn of events? One minute, you’re soaring through the air, ready to conquer the world, and the next, you find yourself grounded with a broken leg and ankle. Trust me, if there was an award for the most boring way of breaking your leg, I would hold the trophy. So, here’s a story of my recent “oopsie” that taught me invaluable lessons about patience and perspective.

Picture this: me, attempting to channel my inner superhero by leaping over a balustrade. It seemed like an easy and good idea in my head until I realized that the ground below was uneven and slippery. And just like that, crack –  my fibula and ankle gave in. Talk about a double whammy!  

I wish I could tell you that my broken leg was because of an epic adventure or a rescue mission, (after all, it happened a few hours after I had just completed my third and final day of my First Aid course). But alas, it was a simple misstep, and a bruised ego. Life has a funny way of teaching us humility, doesn’t it?

If you’ve never experienced being dependent on others for your basic needs, let me enlighten you. Imagine having to hop a mere four meters to reach the bathroom or attempting to strike the perfect balance while aiming to relieve yourself, on one leg. It’s a whole new level of challenge that no one really prepares you for. Who knew that the simple trip the toilet could become an Olympic feat?

In these moments of frustration and inconvenience, I couldn’t help but appreciate the incredible support I received from my family, friends and colleagues,  who offered helping hands, words of encouragement and some pretty epic “get better gifts”. It’s during our weakest moments that we truly discover the strength of our relationships.

As I embark on the long road to recovery, hearing how long the process would be felt like a punch to the gut. Mentally it was hard for the first few days. Being an active (and recently getting into the Padel craze) and mobile guy, the thought of being confined and restricted was hard to digest. But as they say, life works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, it forces us to slow down.

It’s in these forced moments of downtime that we learn the true value of patience. We realize that life isn’t always a race to the finish line; it’s about enjoying the journey, even when the path is a little bumpy. Patience teaches us resilience, and in our moments of impatience, we discover a strength we didn’t know we had.

Looking back, I wish someone had told me that life can change in an instant. That sometimes, the simplest of actions can lead to the most unexpected outcomes. But more importantly, I wish someone had reminded me that even in the midst of frustration, there is humour to be found. The ability to laugh at ourselves and find joy in the absurdity of our circumstances is a true testament to our resilience and how we can embrace change.

So, if you ever find yourself in a situation where life seems bit grey (stolen from a mates recent Facebook post), take a moment to breathe. Embrace the lessons of patience and perspective. Find humour in the absurdity and appreciate the support  and people that surround you.

Remember, this too shall pass, and you’ll come our the end stronger, wiser, and ready to conquer the world once again. . .  I hope 😉

In the grand scheme of things, my broken leg and ankle were mere bumps in the road. Sure, they brought frustration and temporary inconvenience, but I couldn’t help but gain perspective. It was a humbling realization that while I dealt with my temporary limitations, there are people who face far greater challenges every day.

Some people wake up every morning, facing battles that make my broken leg look petty. They get through life with way more serious struggles that require them to adapt and overcome obstacles every step of the way. Their courage and resilience is incredible.

I have also learnt, that we never truly know the battles others are fighting behind closed doors.

So, while I bitched and moaned and felt very sorry for myself –   bathing, going to the restroom, or moving around, I reminded myself that it was just a temporary inconvenience. It was a wake-up call to be grateful for my body’s resilience and to appreciate the simple joys that we often take for granted.

Perspective is a powerful thing. It allows us to see beyond our own comfort zones and circumstances and understand that our struggles, no matter how challenging, are part of life. But it does push us to be more compassionate, patient, and understanding toward others.

In the end, I suppose my broken leg and ankle served as a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and be grateful for the people who stand by us when life decides to throw us a curveball. After all, it’s the unexpected detours that often lead us to the most epic destinations.

So, let me leave you with this thought: life is wild, fun and can be hard, keep your sense of humour intact, embrace patience, and never underestimate the power of perspective. Because one day, you’ll look back and say, “I wish someone had told me…”

A big shout out to my mate Carel Nolte, who literally leaped (luckily with no injury) to my rescue and put his first aid skills to the test, along with my partner Tanya and others that helped me.