Why I Can’t Sit Down

During the spring of 2012 I started working out regularly. I love the morning routine of exercising, listening to books on Audbile, and thinking about the day ahead. A friend introduced me to the Insanity workout early on and I was hooked. If you aren’t familiar with this workout, think intense cardio plus strength training for 45 minutes. I’ve completed this 60-day program several times. I run on the weekends, but I keep coming back to Insanity during the week. I just love the mix of cardio with strenth training.

Insanity seemed like the perfect at-home workout…until last Wednesday. I was in the middle of my workout when I quickly stood up and sprained my Sacroiliac (SI) Joint. In just a few seconds I went from running a 22 minute 5K and doing 100 pushups with ease to struggling to dress myself in the mornings…frustrating to say the least. I don’t think I have ever experienced pain like this! WOW! My lower back is uncomfortable when I stand up. My lower back and left hip experience severe pain when I sit down. Oh, and I can hardly bend over.

Fortunately, I remembered Michael Hyatt’s post entitled “A Question That Changes Everything.” In this post, Michael experiences a health setback and asks himself “What does this experience make possible?”

I am very grateful for his blog, and especially this question. I have been tempted to ask myself several questions over the past several days:
Why did this happen now?
What did I do to deserve this?
Why did I not bend my knees more instead of stooping over?

But, the question “What does this experience make possible?” shifts my thinking in a couple of ways.

First, I acknowledge that I am not in total control. God is in control, and I am not. He has a great plan for my life, and I don’t want to miss it by being angry at Him and myself for my current condition.

Second, this question shifts my thinking from the past to the future. I hope this experience makes me a better planner, better leader, better delegator, and better writer since I can’t physically accomplish all I have been doing. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Elanor Roosevelt: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

The bottom line is this: Bad things happen, and you are not in total control. But, you can control your response to negative situations when they do happen. Asking yourself the right question can help direct your response.

So, think about a negative situation in your life. Ask yourself, “What does this experience make possible?” I would love your comments.