Clearing the Path for Healing

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“On an airplane, you are always told to put on your oxygen mask first. The same way in life, you need to take care of your health first. If you are not happy and healthy, you cannot make anyone else happy and healthy..” – Rajashree Choudhury

About ten days ago, my friend got a hip replacement and was staying with us in the initial recovery period. My beloved neighbor who was a physical therapist for 40 years came over to give him tips. The one that caught my ear was to make sure he had a clear path.

He was talking about how to successfully navigate with a walker. I noticed the advice because we were trying to find a way to help. In a house with me, two kids, a 2-year-old dog, a cat, and a crested gecko, the floor is often cluttered. Not that the cat and the gecko have much to do with it. It was a good reminder to tend to the Legos, stuffies, and balls that regularly find their way to the floor.

But it also struck me as it’s such a great way to think about what we need in times we are repairing ourselves, inside and out. Sometimes  we need to make sure we have a clear path for healing. To Lego of the grand ambitions, to clear the stuffies from our calendars, and to stop juggling the balls that are thrown our way.

My friend did a lot of thoughtful preparation for his hip replacement recovery. He parked his car in a different spot so people could come pick him up and drop him off with ease. He left a key outside the door so that others could let themselves in. Things to clear the path as he recovered.

As I learned when I got sick last week, we don’t always have the time to prepare to heal. But we can clear the path to assist our recovery when we need it.

(featured photo is Cooper the dog doing his best as a therapy dog)

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74 thoughts on “Clearing the Path for Healing”

  2. Perfect analogies, Wynne. It’s so neat you picked up on ‘clear the path’ and aligned it with an encouraging way to help heal ourselves. Such a timely post… Here’s to clear paths ahead. 💞😊

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  3. This is powerful, Wynne:
    “Sometimes we need to make sure we have a clear path for healing. To Lego of the grand ambitions, to clear the stuffies from our calendars, and to stop juggling the balls that are thrown our way.”
    Sending all of my best wishes and hugs! 💝

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  5. Such a great analogy! There is a lot more ease in life if we observe, and possibly adjust our environment, before taking our first step. Wishing your friend a speedy and full recovery! ❤️

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  6. I was half-expecting this post to turn funny with the clear the path and the dog is clearning NOT clearing the path 😉

    That said, yes, it is so important. Hope you feel better and your friend recovers well from his surgery.

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  7. “In a house with me, two kids, a 2-year-old dog, a cat, and a crested gecko, the floor is often cluttered. Not that the cat and the gecko have much to do with it.” ☺️ … but … therein with in care of Wynne, Miss O, Mr. D, along with puppy, cat and crested gecko lies the special ‘cluttered’ healing therapy that no medical can ever provide. God bless you guys.
    If Ellen’s no longer around and I break a hip, I’ m calling your Wynne 😊
    Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!

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    1. We’re available, Fred!! Although I think we provide more comic relief than actual healing help! What I couldn’t believe is that hip replacement is outpatient surgery. We were there by 6am and out by 1pm. What??

      But thank you for appreciating our circus!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  9. Clear the decks is a good healing motto, it also works for repairs to the home. I open a path to the item to be repaired, taking delicate items and obstructions out of the way. Helps every time. Although the corollary is that there is always one extra room I haven’t planned for work boots to enter…

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  13. I agree we should execute a game plan ahead of expected lifestyle disruptions, and make a path as effortless as possible for everyone involved to navigate. And because we’re talking life here, the unexpected is expected, and having that well-cleared path is going to come in very handy when and if obstacles arise, Wynne. Great example here!

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  14. I love this analogy. Sometimes we also just need to get out of our own way. The mental and emotional obstacles we put up are often not real, they just feel real because we are fearful of taking an unknown step. “The devil known” and all that. Being able to move forward in our lives often requires a new mindset, so removing the obstacles is an excellent first step!

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  17. “clear path for healing.” Hmm, do you mean like actually listen to hearts and body and to take care of ourselves? Really? Ha, ha, yes, I’m playing Wynne. This is such great advice and some that I’m never very good at following. But it makes such great sense! Love it.

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  19. I’ve been doing a lot of “clearing the path” this long weekend. I had to shovel the driveway and sidewalk four days in a row! I didn’t even bother today. That path can stay blocked for all I care at this point.

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  20. You’re a great friend to support your friend through his surgery. I’m sorry the hecticness was complicated with your illness. Hope you are both on the mend.

    And I love the thoughtful reflection on clearing the path to healing – both externally and inward facing, and especially inward facing, I’d say.

    Hope the kids enjoyed having a day off school today and hope your short week is a smooth one!

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    1. Thanks, Ab. You’re right – life has been a little chaotic. But all good stuff as we are on the mend!

      I think you all had a four day weekend, right? Glad you got out into the snow! Sending best wishes for a good rest of the week!

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  21. that’s such a good analogy, and we don’t always think of it until it’s a necessity. kind of you to let your friend recover with you and kind of your friend to teach you a lesson, even if it was by accident. may all involved have clear paths to rest and recovery.

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  22. I love your analogies, Wynne. You always take routine things in life and find a way to connect them with something more profound. I hope your friend’s quality of life improves significantly after getting a hip replacement. It’s not one of those surgeries you bounce back quickly from. One of the people in my writing group had one and is doing immensely better. I hope the kids took good care of you and that you’re feeling 100% now.

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  23. Hi Wynne thank you for this tender and honest reflection. I loved how the simple act of clearing space for a friends recovery becomes a deeper lesson about emotional healing too. It gently reminds us that healing is not only about rest but also about making space in our lives for clarity compassion and presence. Your words made me pause and reflect on what in my own path no longer serves my wellbeing. Sometimes the first step is simply noticing the obstacles and choosing to move them. I truly wish your friend a smooth and quicker recovery and I hope you both continue to walk forward with strength and light.
    Rohitash

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  24. Great analogy, my friend. Clearing the path to healing is so important. Sometimes the obstacles are difficult ones, like family, but we need to work through all of that to reach the healing we need to change our lives. I think Cooper is doing a fantastic job and is taking the task seriously.

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  28. You’re a gifted storyteller, weaving personal experiences with the bigger picture. Thank you, Wynne. I’ve helped several family members with walkers post-surgery, though sans kiddos and pets. Certainly, a lot to manage.

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  30. Cooper is adorable and looks so soft and fluffy

    Also, I am really glad I read this post because your analogy of clearing the path to healing was excellent. Also, cheers to the way everyone pulled together to help your friend !

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