We Are Not Invincible
Youth convinces us that we are physically invincible. Illness and disease are nothing more than occasional inconveniences. Thus, we use and abuse our bodies because we believe that they are resilient. Many will carry this mythology of invincibility into middle age. We may even pride ourselves on how much punishment our body can take. Unfortunately, one of the major lessons of maturity is recognizing that all choices have consequences and this is especially true when we are dealing with our physical bodies.
Riding the Tiger means that we are totally focused on dealing with our immediate needs. The essence of this experience is that we are unable to look ahead or reflect on what has already occurred. We are unable to see the damage we have done or are doing to ourselves. We may ignore the pain because we are just trying to hold on. We do not treat the injuries because we are too engaged in “git-r-done” thinking. Negative consequences accumulate and soon they may overwhelm us. We may believe we are invincible, but our bodies know differently.
The false sense of invincibility increases our risk of physical accident or injury. Risk-taking may be necessary but is advisable only when it is accompanied by well-informed and reasoned choices. Skipping meals and pushing beyond the limits will have bad results. Bad habits (smoking, alcohol or drug abuse) will destroy our health. Ignoring those chest pains or moles that are changing shape will lead to sickness and death. They are not worth the risk.
Invincibility also increases our vulnerability to infections. One of the substances our body produces when under stress is cortisol. According to many researchers, cortisol suppresses the immune system. Infections gain a foot hold and can overwhelm our natural defenses. This is why we often become physically ill after a long period of stressful tiger riding. The body finally has a chance to fight back. That fighting back is called illness.
Invincibility also limits our capacity for creative responses. We do not feel we have the time to work out new solutions so we stick with tried and true behaviors. We Keep doing what we have always done. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies do change and what may have worked well for us at 20 may not be so helpful at 40. When we are 20, we may be able to function on 3-4 hours of sleep at night. At age 20 we could pull an all-nighter studying for exams fueled by pizza and beer. At 20, we may be able to shake off that “cold” with extra Vitamin C. But these may not be so successful at 40. When riding the tiger, new circumstances require new responses to avoid the same old consequences. Changing (aging) bodies always create new circumstances.
Riding the Tiger has physical consequences whether we acknowledge them or not. We do not have to believe them for them to be real. Consequences for our choices will come and if we choose poorly, we will pay for them with illness, injury, disability, or even death. Physical Self-Care while riding the tiger is essential.
Riding the Tiger means that we are totally focused on dealing with our immediate needs. The essence of this experience is that we are unable to look ahead or reflect on what has already occurred. We are unable to see the damage we have done or are doing to ourselves. We may ignore the pain because we are just trying to hold on. We do not treat the injuries because we are too engaged in “git-r-done” thinking. Negative consequences accumulate and soon they may overwhelm us. We may believe we are invincible, but our bodies know differently.
The false sense of invincibility increases our risk of physical accident or injury. Risk-taking may be necessary but is advisable only when it is accompanied by well-informed and reasoned choices. Skipping meals and pushing beyond the limits will have bad results. Bad habits (smoking, alcohol or drug abuse) will destroy our health. Ignoring those chest pains or moles that are changing shape will lead to sickness and death. They are not worth the risk.
Invincibility also increases our vulnerability to infections. One of the substances our body produces when under stress is cortisol. According to many researchers, cortisol suppresses the immune system. Infections gain a foot hold and can overwhelm our natural defenses. This is why we often become physically ill after a long period of stressful tiger riding. The body finally has a chance to fight back. That fighting back is called illness.
Invincibility also limits our capacity for creative responses. We do not feel we have the time to work out new solutions so we stick with tried and true behaviors. We Keep doing what we have always done. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies do change and what may have worked well for us at 20 may not be so helpful at 40. When we are 20, we may be able to function on 3-4 hours of sleep at night. At age 20 we could pull an all-nighter studying for exams fueled by pizza and beer. At 20, we may be able to shake off that “cold” with extra Vitamin C. But these may not be so successful at 40. When riding the tiger, new circumstances require new responses to avoid the same old consequences. Changing (aging) bodies always create new circumstances.
Riding the Tiger has physical consequences whether we acknowledge them or not. We do not have to believe them for them to be real. Consequences for our choices will come and if we choose poorly, we will pay for them with illness, injury, disability, or even death. Physical Self-Care while riding the tiger is essential.
TIPS
I have three tips for dealing with the physical consequences of tiger riding.
First, Pay Attention to Your Body. Be aware of changes in your body. This may include noticing changes in eating, “routine” aches or pains, or daily patterns of sleep and digestion. It is also important to get regular medical check-ups to discover the hidden changes in our body.
Second, Accept you Vulnerabilities. If it hurts, don’t do it! If it is causing you harm, don’t do it. We all have physical limitations. We may have diabetes, heart problems, asthma, or other less serious limitations. Some people do well on 4-6 hours of sleep while others need 7-9. For some, wounds heal quickly. For others, it may take longer. When riding the tiger, keep in mind these limitations and accept that they indicate that you may be more vulnerable under certain circumstances. Know your limitations and do not ignore them.
Lastly, Turn Off the Autopilot. Accept responsibility for every choice by taking change as a reality. Every tiger is different. We are different every time we find ourselves on a tiger. By simply doing what we have always done, we are shirking our responsibility and making ourselves a victim of our past choices. Being vulnerable in a changing body can be very frustrating, especially when we are trying to not fall off. But easing that frustration with autopilot is not worth the consequences to your physical health.
Take care of your body before and during your tiger trips through life. We only get one body and it deserves our care and concern.
First, Pay Attention to Your Body. Be aware of changes in your body. This may include noticing changes in eating, “routine” aches or pains, or daily patterns of sleep and digestion. It is also important to get regular medical check-ups to discover the hidden changes in our body.
Second, Accept you Vulnerabilities. If it hurts, don’t do it! If it is causing you harm, don’t do it. We all have physical limitations. We may have diabetes, heart problems, asthma, or other less serious limitations. Some people do well on 4-6 hours of sleep while others need 7-9. For some, wounds heal quickly. For others, it may take longer. When riding the tiger, keep in mind these limitations and accept that they indicate that you may be more vulnerable under certain circumstances. Know your limitations and do not ignore them.
Lastly, Turn Off the Autopilot. Accept responsibility for every choice by taking change as a reality. Every tiger is different. We are different every time we find ourselves on a tiger. By simply doing what we have always done, we are shirking our responsibility and making ourselves a victim of our past choices. Being vulnerable in a changing body can be very frustrating, especially when we are trying to not fall off. But easing that frustration with autopilot is not worth the consequences to your physical health.
Take care of your body before and during your tiger trips through life. We only get one body and it deserves our care and concern.
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