The secret to longevity is…don’t vacuum

This was inspired from the blog post: Take my Advice, I’m not Using it written by Mark from TheGadAboutTown.com who is always an inspiration and an encouragement.

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On the Sunday before the wedding, I suggested to my mom that she might want to spend as much of the day as possible resting before such a stressful week, doing so much for everyone. “You are crazy! I can’t rest a full week before the wedding. What good is that going to do me?!” she laughed at me. And I laughed with her.

The differing perspectives reminded me of the quote, “The secret to longevity is getting a chronic disease and taking care of it.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes (who lived to be 93 at a time when men died at 40). At what point do we shift from our bodies listening us, to listening to our bodies?

Yesterday I shared that I was breaking up with my body; that’s actually a feeling I’ve had for a while now. It doesn’t mean I’m not listening to her, it DOES mean she isn’t allowed to bully my spirit any longer. I used to bully her though. I used to push her past her breaking point all the time. Both before and especially after CRPS/RSD set in.

I can be relentless when I am focused on something. Whether it’s a person, my career, a passion, a dream, or a goal, I will drive all of my energy into it or them. In my past life, B.P. (before pain), while at work one day, I was set on vacuuming the floor. Simple. The vacuum belt needed changing first, but the belt I special ordered for the vintage model was just a smidge too small. Too bad. This floor was getting vacuumed today. I put both feet on the vacuum and pulled the rubber belt with all of my strength to make it fit! POP!!!! The metal vacuum brush cylinder sling-shotted me right in my face! The pointed end hit me hard enough to knock me out momentarily, and missed my left eye by a hair. I got 11 stitches, a black swollen eye for a couple weeks, and a cool scar across my eyebrow…from a vacuum attack. (Everyone wore a metaphorical I’m with stupid t-shirt while it healed.)

What does that worthless vacuum have to say? There are limits. We can force it, but there are consequences. This wedding coming up (in 4 days) could set me back with my health for a while. But it’s once in a lifetime, it’s one day, and this is most definitely worth it. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the consequences and risks, and sometimes, it’s just a little extra dust on the floor and it isn’t really worth a scar on your face.

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Please share a moment you pushed it too far and life or your body reacted harshly. I’d love to hear from you!