Atrophy
“Your heart needs to speak louder than your fears for things to change in your life.” - Rodney Williams
According to Webster’s Online Dictionary, atrophy is 1: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; also: arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant. Between the surgeries and broken bones over the years, I’ve experienced atrophy a number of times. When I was in a cast for 12 weeks, I watched my left arm dwindle to probably half the normal size. I saw similar things happen with the knee and shoulder surgeries.
Even though the dictionary refers only to the physical, I believe atrophy can happen to our spirit too. I’ve referenced a few times about how I told Jamie way early in my journey that I felt dead on the inside and could only see black. She told me I had lost my spiritual connection to God along with connection to those around me, and she was 100% right. I knew something was missing on the inside as I could feel a little out of sorts but could not put my hand on it. In fact, that was one of the things Shelley told me when she left: “Rodney, your spirituality is wrecked.” She too was right.
When I started reading the Bible more, attending church, reading positive and uplifting books, watching positive and uplifting shows and started associating with positive and uplifting people, I saw my spirit reengage in my life. I opened myself up to receive, and boy did I. That’s the very reason I am able to write and talk about the things I do now. I learned to listen and reconnect.
I also believe emotional atrophy can occur. When you try to shut down your emotions, allow your emotions to run your life, or try to manipulate them, the same thing happens. Atrophy sets in. I saw it happened in my 20’s when I shut my emotions down too due to a painful breakup at the time. My logic was if you don’t feel, then you don’t hurt. That is/was totally flawed logic. Sure there are times when we try to put emotions aside to deal with something going on in our life, but that is a defense/protection mechanism and should not be considered the normal state.
Life is hard sometimes. There are people in our lives that hurt us, and there are events in our lives that are traumatic. Unfortunately, that is just part of it. It is not always fair, but there is always something better on the back side. How we choose to react to the situation is up to us. We can withdraw and let atrophy set in on our spirit and emotions, or we can face it, ask for help and work to move forward. Get your spirit and emotions on a workout program and avoid the atrophy.
“Your heart needs to speak louder than your fears for things to change in your life.” - Rodney Williams
According to Webster’s Online Dictionary, atrophy is 1: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; also: arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant. Between the surgeries and broken bones over the years, I’ve experienced atrophy a number of times. When I was in a cast for 12 weeks, I watched my left arm dwindle to probably half the normal size. I saw similar things happen with the knee and shoulder surgeries.
Even though the dictionary refers only to the physical, I believe atrophy can happen to our spirit too. I’ve referenced a few times about how I told Jamie way early in my journey that I felt dead on the inside and could only see black. She told me I had lost my spiritual connection to God along with connection to those around me, and she was 100% right. I knew something was missing on the inside as I could feel a little out of sorts but could not put my hand on it. In fact, that was one of the things Shelley told me when she left: “Rodney, your spirituality is wrecked.” She too was right.
When I started reading the Bible more, attending church, reading positive and uplifting books, watching positive and uplifting shows and started associating with positive and uplifting people, I saw my spirit reengage in my life. I opened myself up to receive, and boy did I. That’s the very reason I am able to write and talk about the things I do now. I learned to listen and reconnect.
I also believe emotional atrophy can occur. When you try to shut down your emotions, allow your emotions to run your life, or try to manipulate them, the same thing happens. Atrophy sets in. I saw it happened in my 20’s when I shut my emotions down too due to a painful breakup at the time. My logic was if you don’t feel, then you don’t hurt. That is/was totally flawed logic. Sure there are times when we try to put emotions aside to deal with something going on in our life, but that is a defense/protection mechanism and should not be considered the normal state.
Life is hard sometimes. There are people in our lives that hurt us, and there are events in our lives that are traumatic. Unfortunately, that is just part of it. It is not always fair, but there is always something better on the back side. How we choose to react to the situation is up to us. We can withdraw and let atrophy set in on our spirit and emotions, or we can face it, ask for help and work to move forward. Get your spirit and emotions on a workout program and avoid the atrophy.
Your quote is awesome. I'm going to write this one down. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad ya like it. That's another original that has been published :) I still have to remembe myself some days.
ReplyDeleteRW