Something caught my attention in the kitchen window as I placed the tea kettle on the red hot electric burner to make my morning tea: a single leaf. Immediately I asked myself, how is that leaf able to hover in one place? Pulling back the sheer curtain, I took a better look.
The leaf was caught in a spider web made of the thinnest and most delicate looking thread. When the wind blew, the leaf tossed itself around but could not escape. It reminded me of feeling trapped in my body with the strained muscles in my forearms. I couldn’t get away from the achy feelings like the leaf couldn’t get away from the spiderweb.
I had been feeling strong because my new exercise routine features strength training in order to build my muscles so they will pull on my osteoporotic bones. During my session at OsteoStrong I pushed the little line on the machine farther than I had ever made it go before. I wanted to push harder and longer because strength training has made me feel so darn strong.
But the next day, my hands weren’t working like they usually do. I felt weaker, not stronger. What had I done? Luckily, I had an appointment with my osteopath already scheduled! While he was working on my injured arms, I heard him say, almost as if talking to himself, “Boy, you really strained these muscles.” When he pushed the trigger points, I winced in pain.
How weird is it that feeling my strength led to discovering my fragility? I’m embarrassed that I hurt myself in this way. I don’t want to be fragile but I need to use my strength to help, not hurt myself. Do you ever take things too far?
The next morning, the leaf and the spider web had disappeared. Hopefully, it’s lesson will stick with me.
