Not a new trick, a new skill. Summer is on its way, as I found a beautiful sunny afternoon, even though it is still March. I decided to go for a walk and enjoy the countryside. The trouble with the beginning of better weather is it is easy to get carried away. Some years ago I had an accident with a ladder which resulted in surgery on my left ankle. Like the bionic man they rebuilt it, but unfortunately they did not have 6 million dollars so I still have severe pain if I over do things. I did and found myself in need of a strong distraction. I know what potentially follows anything wrong with my body, depression, then anxiety.
I am at that point where I have mastered the tricks I have learnt to the best of my ability and should be starting to learn a new one. The trouble was, I just wasn’t in the mood for learning a new trick, in fact I was in a right grumpy mood. My wife provided the solution. Although 2Pears are far more quiet than the Greek alternative they still make a muffled knock when the two wooden pears hit each other. She very politely pointed out that she would appreciate losing the knocking noise the pears were making. I was comfortable in my chair, in fact I was not in the mood for getting up as my ankle was so painful. I decided to learn a new skill and not a new trick. Almost every swing of the pears would result in the two pears hitting but every now and then they would not. I started to adjust my hand and finger spread to see what effect it would have on the knocking. Trial and error saw a dramatic improvement. It did require huge concentration though, as my hand and fingers would naturally drift back to their “comfort” position.
Time flew by and my wife got up to do the tea. It was then that I realised that I had forgotten about my ankle and the pain killers I had taken were starting to work. I shall take the learning from this and use it again, not just to repeat my new skill as it is still not perfected and will still serve as an excellent distraction, but also that learning a new skill is just an affective a distraction as learning a new trick.
If you would like to comment on this blog please add a comment. If you use worry beads to help you with an illness, injury or to give up a vice please drop me an email I would love to hear about your experiences.
Kevin
The English Worry Bead Co.
www.englishworrybeads.uk