I stood up, and lightning shot through my back and down my left leg.
I had to sit back down. The pain was like a thousand little needles.
I had been sitting for too long.
I knew keeping my blood flowing to my muscles was very important. But sometimes I got too caught up in my work and forgot, and then this happened.
I’ve noticed my brain works that exact same way. When I stop challenging it, it stops finding creative solutions.
It’s easier to just stop moving, but that doesn’t mean it’s better for me.
So how do I keep moving when it’s easier not to?
It’s about finding gratitude in the challenge. If I can turn any situation into a growth experience, I’ll be able to appreciate any moment.
When that feeling of lightning shot down my leg, it felt like a warning shot. If I kept on this path of not moving around throughout the day, I would continue to experience pain like this.
I knew I needed to improve my habits. I felt so lucky that I received this challenge to improve my health and grow. I could choose to see it as an opportunity instead of something to complain about to my wife.
I started small by using a smaller glass to drink water. When the glass was empty, I would have to get up and get more. This little change started a domino effect of more movement at work and at home. Now I also use a standing desk, and this encourages me to move around more because I’m already up and ready to go.
Coming up with little triggers to get me moving—things like that smaller glass of water and standing desk—was exactly what I needed. I haven’t felt those lightning bolts down my leg since.
A growth mindset is not seeing little challenges as mundane but as stepping stones up the mountain of success. And when you get to the top of the mountain, you have to take a giant leap of faith to make it to the next mountain and begin your ascent to your next challenge.
Hello Karl, I enjoyed the article….thanks for the stimulus.
here are some thoughts……
I agree with your premise that often how we view or react to a circumstance will determine the impact that is has on us. Having a negative or pessimistic attitude about a circumstance tends to slow the process, make it more painful, and develop a less creative/fruitful result. Conversely, accepting circumstances or “lightning bolts” as gifts that cause us to take action, should be met with gratitude.
Gratitude can give you a ” grrrrr attitude” meaning an energy boost, a burst of enthusiasm, a shot of adrenaline.
Finally, when my daughter reached her teen years and to her everything seemed extreme and dramatic, and big, the mantra I gave her was “attitude is everything”. What you give is what you get. Perhaps the mantra can change to “Gratitude is everything.”
Much Love.