When someone has a simple (singular) problem, usually and logically there will be a simple solution. For example, there’s something in a person’s nose, they’ll sense an itch or tickle and naturally sneeze.
If that doesn’t resolve, they might next try self-help such as over-the-counter medicine.
Eventually, if their remedies fail, they will seek a medical professional, and then the medical care will bring healthy closure. But let’s say it gets worse, first prescriptions fail, then chronic sinus infections, etc. Usually, a doctor’s last resort is surgery—because of the inherent risks and not guaranteed final results. If all fails, then ultimately the health problem will lead to death.
What the hell does any of this shit have to do with exercise and this SP website? A lot actually, if you have patience (no pun) with me. You see, I will NOT presume but safely guess that the majority of us on this site had something initially grown that eventually grew/festered to the point we felt compelled to browse this SP and ultimately intertwine within its community. For those who have contributed but made the ultimate sacrifice, I’m truly sorry and God bless you and your soul—I do NOT JUDGE anyone on this site, succeeded or living.
Now my part that fits to this logic: exercise. When I was younger, if I ever had a sad (negative) thought or feeling it never “stuck.” That is, no different to getting an itchy or runny nose, it would most likely go away and not end up being a head cold. Part of it was my mindset and familial support (including my friends who were like family).
I had loved to exercise, and do tons of it, literally like thousands of hours and over 100,000 miles of ground being tread. Perhaps the endorphins from that exercise are equivalent to being/falling in love, which in my opinion is probably the best antidote/antidepressant. Notice I did NOT say cure!
However, that muscle memory doesn’t help me bounce back anymore. I still love to stay athletic, but the number one issue for me is losing motivation and the will. My soul is strong, but the hurt is not healing.
So how come I haven’t take the last bus ride? Perhaps because I’m a coward and not ready for the finality of ABSOLUTE NOTHING; just like the internet, it CANNOT BE UNDONE. For arrogant reasons, we as human species, somehow need to communicate—right up to the point of end of life. We all want to be heard. Listened. Respected, always.
I have no clue if it’s because I’m weird or whatever, but something subconsciously about me lets me know when I’m at the event horizon of that black hole. And deep inside me, something kicks me in the arse and says “get the eff up, go outside and do some exercise!!!”
So, I’m about to get out of bed and do something for the next couple of hours. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but at least I get a little further away from the edge too far, for part of today.
Exercise: something that you have absolute control over you/your body. The body will always reward you for it. The pain of movement is NOT the pain of injury. Nature has given our bodies the gift to exercise, know and feel the limits of pain and that is DIFFERENT from PAIN of INJURY.
Exercise has NEVER done this to me: insult, harass, bully, stop/interfere, kill, destroy my spirit, get me ill, been a danger, or anything else to prevent me from getting “back on the saddle.”
Personally, for me, I have learned to push my mental/psychological/physical and other limits when exercising. If I’ve been hurt or accident, it was from my own mistakes. Otherwise, it was something in my mind. When I pay attention to my body, I know when I’m ready to push harder, further.
Now that I read this, I sound like a hypocrite. But, the beauty is in the exercise. My problems stem from society. I’m the type of person that needs a partner. A real life partner that is also my “partner in crime,” training partner, partner in journeys (because traveling is for tourists). I can no longer be a citizen of the world, alone.