Don't get Frozen!

Dear Why Team Member,

Are you hurt?  Are you sore?
If so, keep it moving!  
Why?
You don't want to get frozen.

You don't want to get frozen.

Many of us live a fast paced life and with this comes the occasional gift of an injury to help slow us down, elevate our mindfulness and elevate our appreciation for that which we take for granted. 
 
Recently my shoulder got tweaked while training with my trainer.  One day later, the buildup of lactic acid in my right shoulder was so severe, I could not put my right hand into my right pocket.  Rather than not use my shoulder at all, I chose to move it more slowly, more carefully.  I continued to apply the effort to use my right pocket.  As it turns out, this was the right choice and the advice I received from my trainer, back in the gym, two days later.  He said it's not uncommon that one will stop using the shoulder all together, believing the healing will come from inactivity, so continue moving it "You do not want to get frozen shoulder!” 

Wow, what a metaphor! 

Have you ever had physical therapy after an injury or surgery?  I've heard it can hurt like hell.  
Hmm, is that pain for our benefit?  Is that pain really supposed to make us stronger?  Is it a blessing in disguise? Think about it…does it not elevate…our mobility, our capacity, our possibilities?!

Of course I am not suggesting anything outside of your doctors’ recommendations, but think on how can we believe that prolonged inactivity will heal whatever ails us - when getting up and moving is often the best course of action?  This reminds me of the old adage that says “the idle mind is the devil’s workshop” - could the idle body be the devil’s workshop as well?  I think so.  

 There are times when I have faced a very busy day with trepidation only to find myself exhilarated at the end of the day.  Consider how doctors today, after a major surgery, want the patient up and moving about as soon as possible.  It is now known that laying still for to long after a major surgical trauma is not what the body most needs.  Yes, rest!  Yes, meditate!  Yes, sleep!  And then get up and get moving!  

II heard a recent podcast from a navy seal who said your first test at the beginning of each new day is in the morning when the alarm goes off - forget the snooze - get up and move.  Activity builds momentum which begets more and more momentum; not to the point of losing awareness, losing consciousness - this is to the point of addiction, the desire to numb out; hence the term workaholic.  Move mindfully, be present, but be moving - we're born to make it happen, to create, to serve, to love.

Don't get frozen shoulder and find your capacity diminished.  Keep it moving, more mindfully, and at times more carefully, but ever diligent out of your gratitude for life and your desire to serve others.  

 It is written in the ancient text to count it all as joy.  Can we choose to see how it all happens for us, rather than to us?  Yes, we can, it's our choice.  I am grateful for the injury and the awareness born from it.
 
​Don't get frozen and you will no doubt make it a great week.

Steve Luckenbach

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