But, as I become older (for the record, I’m 43), I have noticed that every month or so, there is a new pain on my body brought on by being somewhat physically fit. Not really the “I need to see a doctor pain,” but irritating things: a stubbed toe, a sore muscle, or a cramped up body part. But having worked out regularly 5-6 days a week religiously for the past 3 years, I have come to realize that pain is a part of having the dedication to physical exercise. Aching joints, a tweaked back, a strained muscle are all part of the territory for many who exercise.
When we have something in pain, we do many things to ease or relieve the uncomfortable feelings: maybe a cold compress or heat pad, stretch or work the muscles a little more, or take supplements to provide healing nutrients. But no matter what we do, the body will do what the body will do. It simply needs time to repair itself.
Many times we take that healing process for granted. I know on many occasions, I have attempted to lift through pain, or play basketball when I wasn't even 50%. I failed to understand that this is certainly the wrong way to become healthier, playing through the pain. But this same philosophy could be applied even more so to situations outside the gym and in real life. Healing has a purpose to repair what is broken, but it also can make us stronger.
Conventional wisdom often says that things that are broken never heal properly, or become as strong as they were before. A strained calf muscle, a torn ligament, or the emotions of a broken heart after a divorce, those couldn’t be stronger after they have healed, could they? I believe they can. I believe if we allow those aches to heal, in time, eventually they will become stronger, and you can become stronger than before. But you need to be fit physically, mentally, and emotionally. Pain is an inevitable part of living life and being active, and divorce is certainly a part of being emotionally active. We just sometimes need our bodies to heal in time.
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