“I bounce!”

One afternoon as I was hurrying to catch a train, I tripped on some uneven pavement and fell flat. As I scrambled to my feet, a number of people with very worried expressions asked me if I were all right. With a big smile, I responded, “I’m fine! Thank you for your concern.”

As I crossed the street, I felt a deep gratitude for God’s great love and care.  On the other side of the street, another worried-looking man asked me if I were okay. This time I responded, “I’m great! I bounce!”

As I walked away, I thought about my comment, “I bounce!” Although my fluffy down coat made me look a bit like the Michelin Man, I knew that I hadn’t literally bounced.  However, before leaving my practitioner’s office, I had been praying for several patients about resiliency—the ability to bounce back. I had been praying to see the true spiritual nature of individuals who appeared to be encountering setbacks and the accompanying frustration. I knew that each of the individuals was the strong and resilient idea of God who, with God’s guidance, could overcome any adversity. 

In this context, I thought about the strength and resiliency of Jesus as he faced his accusers with grace, dignity, and forgiveness. Often when we encounter a setback, there is a tendency to become afraid or angry, but that wasn’t Jesus’ way. Jesus always looked for the solution and didn’t curse the problem. His example shows us the way of freedom from any adversity.

My experience on that Boston street illustrated the efficacy of my prayer. As I prayed for others, I had also been praying for myself. So it was with a sense of inspiration that I set off for my train. When I tripped and fell, I wasn’t afraid or angry. I didn’t react negatively to the event. I just picked myself up and brushed myself off and understood I was unhurt.  I didn’t condemn myself or the bumpy sidewalk. I felt a deep gratitude and moved forward.