by Doug Graham
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How many of us has done something really stupid that paralyzes our growth or progress? Probably everyone of us. The things that cause these retardations of movement forward can be physically, spiritually, or emotionally.
In bodybuilding I like to say that we should not listen to close friends, relatives, or knuckleheads when advice is needed. Often we find ourselves struggling with some new exercise or personal discipline to be better. We pour ourselves into it but the new thing is not helping as we imagined or we are just doing it wrong. This is where a coach is needed or a trusted training partner. With some minor adjustments we are off and running. Sometimes we think we know more than we do and we continue doing the same thing with the same results which makes us ignorant or stupid. Often the latter. There are times when we are working through a new regimen and it just doesn’t feel right but we continue until —- BANG!! There is a terrible shredding sound or snap accompanied by a pain that we have never experienced before. Just like that, our arm becomes lifeless and our shoulder or elbow or biceps ceases to function. We dangle our extremity and move off the gym floor to the locker room. That night is horrible and we eat more Motrin than we ever have before. The next day we are seeing a physician to help us determine the amount of damage done.
It is here that we begin the road back. We make no excuses. We blame nobody else but ourselves. We “IN SILENCE” and quietly “take the pain.” Being on track we do not display the hurt we feel.
Then, rehab begins. We are not at our best so our pride pushes us to be better before we go back to the gym. We do what we are told to get better. We take the drugs. We slowly start training again, all out of the public’s eye. We ask nothing from anybody but we demand much of ourselves—-“IN PRIVATE”
One day we venture back to gym feeling we have come far enough to not embarrass ourselves. We start slowly and before we know it we are back on track. Lesson learned and indelibly written on our minds. We turn to the stage and begin the journey back with a determination to shine again despite our setback. The path has been followed and now we are ready again to be our best —“TO SHINE IN PUBLIC—AGAIN!”
We can hurt ourselves spiritually or emotionally by violating basic truths that make us who we are. The damage is just as real and just as capable of sidelining us as a physical injury can. It hollows us our until we are incapable of motivating ourselves to win. We wallow in self-pity and loneliness until a good friend or pastor or bishop comes along and we lay it all on the table. This is the point when the hurting in private stops. Healing begins and nobody else has to know but you. We do the hard work of restoring the truth that was violated or tossed aside. One day, we get back on the horse and never look back. Being stupid is an event—not a life sentence!
Let me end by saying that anything can derail us. But, only we can keep us off track. We have the choice to stay defeated or injured or figure out a way to put it behind us. We truly are “The Captains of Our Own Ships.” ACT LIKE IT!
Six Pack and Senior 