So here I am, a few weeks having passed since breaking my ankle.  I’ve spent nearly all of the time in bed, with my right leg elevated, looking for (and finding!) lots of diversion.

It will be three weeks tomorrow since my accident.  At the onset, I naïvely thought this could turn out like an extended meditation retreat, where I would be in isolation and forced into finding some way to accept and peacefully co-exist with the endless machinations of monkey mind.  I saw meditation, reading, studying and writing — a rare opportunity to hit the pause button on an insanely busy life and take time to reflect on my spiritual path.

Boy, was I ever wrong.  I attribute much of my extended state of distraction to the pain medication.  It’s hard to focus on anything more complex than sitcoms and action movies when you’re  doped up and/or feeling like a 50-pound fire ant has latched onto your ankle.

All has not been lost, however.  When you’re lying awake in bed at 2:30 a.m. and it’s just you and the pain wedged in between your spouse and your dog, electronic forms of distraction aren’t an option.  Thankfully, I have been able to find peace during those times.

As my ankle starts to mend and my time alone starts to draw to a close, here’s hoping that I can find more of those scarce moments of peace!