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Swap a Steel Spine for a Bamboo Spine

Due to surgery I literally have metal in my spine but each day I mentally replace it with bamboo so I can be more flexible if something goes wrong.

Having a disability means that a lot of things are physically out of my control. This gives me a unique perspective in times of crisis. This is what I have learnt.

When I need to stay calm, I visualise myself travelling a dirt road with Jesus, Seneca, and a Zen monk because they say modelling behaviour is what you become.

The green reed which bends with the wind is stronger than the mighty oak that breaks in the storm.
~ Confucius

For me, even the simplest task can be a cause of frustration but instead of breaking and giving up I will stop, become one with the moment, breathe, and try again. This method has led to a simple success like opening my front door and my greatest success of opening night of a play.

I have learnt these methods through an amalgamation of Christian, Stoic, and Zen traditions.

If you are interested in following the same journey, I would recommend reading the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Moral Letters of Seneca, anything by Alan Watts, and 'Ego is the Enemy' by Ryan Holiday.

Many people have said I do my best work under pressure. If this is true, it is only because I go with the flow.

Bamboo is a symbol of virtue, strength, perseverance, flexibility, humility, renewal, and respect. All traits we could use in our current time.

So next time you find yourself stressed to the max, turn your spine to bamboo; bend and do not break.

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