Monday Musings – Muscles, Meditation, and a Hot Mess

 

My mornings consist of meditation with a side of coffee. I sit criss cross apple sauce (legs crossed) on a cushion on the floor. You may think I’m bragging because I’m over the age of fifty and can still cross my legs. My secret is that uncrossing my legs is sometimes a theatrical production that involves rocking, stretching, and twisting. I have even ended up in a Downward Dog yoga pose to help me untangle. But I digress. Back to the story…

I woke up excited for a new day, a day of accomplishments. My goal was to kick off my week strong with meditation then a 30-minute workout. I opened my laptop and clicked on my favorite meditation app. As I lifted my head I felt a slight pull in my neck. My forehead creased as I scrunched my eyes in thought – did I just pull a neck muscle?

I tilted my head like a dog does when listening for a sound. A burst of pain traveled from the back of my neck around to the top of my left shoulder. It was official, I pulled a muscle doing absolutely nothing. It became clear to me why people say, getting old is not for the faint of heart.”

There I sat on my bedroom floor contemplating my next move – go ahead and meditate or get up and medicate? Before I could decide, I felt heat rising in my body; It was a hot flash, brought on by the coffee I sipped on just before attempting to meditate. Yes, caffeine can trigger hot flashes.

At that point I was hot, sweaty, experiencing discomfort, and had not begun to exercise. I tried to take a few deep breaths to relax, but even that made my neck hurt. I was a hot mess. Feeling like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I leaned to one side and peeled my legs from the floor, one vertebra at a time.

Although my neck muscle decided to do its own thing, I was glad my leg muscles stood firm in their role. They got me from the floor to the shower without any crazy episodes. I let the hot shower water gently pound my neck and shoulder for longer than my usual shower takes, but it felt good.

I refused to let that muscle spasm, tweak, or whatever you want to call it, derail my day. I made it to work, then called my mommy to bring me an Icy Hot patch. That was one day I was glad I didn’t have any meetings, because I was walking around smelling like menthol.

And the moral of the story…persevere. You can do it. Side note...meditation is not for the faint of heart.

What situation have you had to persevere through recently?