Stretch me…

IT sucks getting old.  Actually growing old does NOT suck, but FEELING old does.  I’ve had my first run in with this reality.  I’ve got a degenerative left hip.  It’s got some tendonitis going on coupled with some early arthritis.  Bummer for me.  

Here’s the prognosis.  I will need to my have my left hip replaced.

Someday.

If I do what my physical therapist and Doctor are “coaching” me to do, that “replacement” day can be a LONG way off.  This will require some real, hard WORK.  Here’s the key.

I’ve got to stretch.

I’ve got to stretch EVERYDAY.  I’ve got to push my muscles outside their comfort zone.  My tendons have started to “freeze” in place from a lack of stretching and some bum luck you might say.  I cannot stop the arthritis but I can slow it’s progress.  I can unlock my left hip if I’m willing to push it.  You see, the tendons and muscles around my left hip have got to get a lot stronger and a lot more flexible, if I’m to get out of pain and back to doing whatever I want to do.  

I’ve got to stretch.  

I have NOT stretched my entire life.  I’m paying for it now.  

I have a client that is going through some similar pain.  He likes things to be comfortable.  He prefers to do what he’s always done.  He’s never really felt the need to stretch.  He is beginning to get the early warning signs NOW.  He’s not sure he is the one that needs to stretch.  He sees others needs much more clearly. He’s normal.

He has some stretching to do.  He’s got some uncomfortable moments ahead.  He can keep doing what he’s always done.  He can choose to slowly watch the level of pain go up and slowly restrict his movements.  He can do nothing.

For awhile.

My job is to stretch him.  My job is to make him uncomfortable.  My job is to do all of this before the universe does.  You see, natures way of getting our attention is usually much more PAINFUL and much more abrupt.

If my client continues to choose to do nothing, soon he’ll need more than his hip replaced…

What are you waiting for?

Where do you need to be stretched?

Who on your team needs the same?

Who needs a long, hard stretch?

Done so.