Yesterday I wrote about negotiating “the last stretch” both in and out of the yoga studio. I wrote about wanting to lie down just before the finish line, and curl up against the wall with my water and towel. A friend of mine, a very wise and perceptive friend, left a comment on yesterday’s blog. She said:
“Curling up against a wall with water and a favorite “blankee” is such a comforting thought, but it only leaves you curled up against a wall. Comfort only lasts so long. Pretty soon the muscles cramp and the water dries up.”
Comfort only lasts so long. Her words have been resonating through my brain all morning. Again, a simple concept, right on front of me, and I missed it. When you’re going through a long, drawn out painful situation, you seek comfort. Now and then you get bits of it. Then it wears off and the pain returns. Like an addict, you want more, so you begin to do whatever you have to do to get it. Sometimes you even lose sight of the difficulty you’re involved in altogether in your quest to feel better and end the pain.
Then, a wise person crosses your path and states the obvious and the lights go on. Comfort only lasts so long. That’s all you’re doing – spinning your wheels – not solving anything at all. It’s like the Claritin clear commercial and you suddenly realize it’s time to stop seeking comfort and ride out the last stretch. That comfort that looked so good, fades fast and hurts you more than helps you, both in and out of the studio. How many times does the instructor tell us the fanning, drinking and wiping only make it worse? What works? Lying still and not using any unnecessary energy between postures. I have mastered this inside the studio many months ago. Now it’s time to translate it to life outside the studio.
And so, as another day goes by, I give gratitude for the people that have crossed my path this past year, and ….I have written.
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