Catastrophizing Just Doesn’t Help

One month not long ago I injured my right knee. I had lifted a heavy object one day, and the next day my knee was swollen and non-weight-bearing to kneel on.

I became distraught over this turn of events. I immediately went into worry mode and catastrophized about all the things I would not be able to do because of my knee injury. I became upset that my knee injury may affect my ability to ride my bicycle (a passion of mine). I became further upset when thinking about how the injury may affect my ability to fully participate in my upcoming Great Cycle Challenge---or if I would be able to participate at all! Even though I had no idea how bad, or not, the knee injury was, I immediately went into catastrophe mode and assumed the worst.

I immediately started my own rehabilitation, which focused on using various essential oils to treat the injury. I continued with my daily workouts, but with much less intensity. To my pleasant surprise, my knee showed gradual signs of improvement each day.

I made a full recovery in the following weeks. As a precautionary step, I had some xrays to see if there was any internal damage. The xrays came back negative. I gradually returned to my normal exercise regimen, at my normal intensity. I was able to enjoy my bicycle rides as I did before my injury.

When I reflected on my experience, I realized that my early catastrophizing was not helpful. Sure, I was upset and worried, but to have allowed my mind to run away with thoughts of how this was going to affect my life was way out of proportion at the time. It simply did me no good at all worry about what might be (or might have been if I had not lifted that heavy object in the first place!).

The experience was a welcome lesson for me in easing into all that life offers. Instead of bemoaning my circumstances, I need to welcome all that unfolds. Dare I say, I need to enjoy it all…even an injured knee. Worry, upset and fear is not the vibrational mode required for healing. The only vibration that heals is love.

Robert Meagher has been ordained as an Interfaith Minister and certified as a Sacred Attention Therapy (SAT) Therapist. Robert is the Founder and Spiritual Director for Spiritual Guidance and Co-Founder of the Center for Human Awakening.