Best Seller, Inspirational Stories
Page 115
WAKE UP...
Live the Life You Love
Painfully Blessed
Rich Bella
Many of us juggle a schedule of work, work, and more work. We
get so caught up in the routine of our daily lives that we neglect to
realize the blessings we have taken advantage of for so long. Some
blessings are huge, while others might not be so obvious until we try
to get by without them.
About six weeks before the birth of my second daughter Jada, I
was picking up my 22-month-old daughter Jordin to put her in the
car seat. As I lifted her, I pulled my left shoulder. The pain was so
intense that all I could do was sit completely still in the back seat
with Jordin. I held my shoulder, hoping the pain would subside but
there was no relief.. After a few minutes, Jordin looked at me and
asked, "Are you okay?" I said, "No, babe. Daddy's hurt."
Two weeks passed and the pain persisted. I was medicating with
all sorts of over-the-counter pain relievers in search of some kind of
help. The pain subsided but only for four hours at a time. The pain
was relentless and I was worried that it would restrict my range of
motion and cause me to get out of shape. Even cardiovascular
exercise that required little shoulder movement caused pain.
Everything I was used to doing was no longer an easy task. It was
painful, it was difficult, and it was tiring. For as frustrating as this
injury was, I was humbled by the hard lesson I was learning.
I decided to research a particular yoga class to see if that would
remedy the injury. It did. Ever since I walked into a Bikram yoga
studio my life has changed dramatically. For anyone who has taken
Bikram yoga, or any other type of disciplined martial arts knows the
meaning of humility. The instructors acknowledged the severity of
my shoulder injury, a pulled levator scapula. Although they were
aware of the severity of the injury, they did not pity me. Instead, they
pushed me and expected more than I thought I could handle.
Part of what makes Bikram yoga so beneficial is that the room
is heated to 103 degrees, immediately warming the body which is
excellent for stretching and healing. After my first class, it was
obvious that my condition was improving. I continue to go to yoga
today not only to maintain the improved condition of my shoulder
but also to remind me that the mind is an essential ingredient in
healing the body. I learned the importance of concentrating on my
breathing and releasing tension from the mind through the body
while strengthening my spirit. The healing of my body helped me to
focus on what was really important in my life. For the first time in a
long time, I was not concerned about a business plan, road map, or
marketing strategy. I was more preoccupied with the blessings I have
been given in my life; a wonderful wife, two beautiful daughters, a
sharp mind and a resilient body. Now, I am truly living a life I love.
Rich Bella
