When we use the word heart, we normally either think of our emotions and passions, or we think of our ticker (or thumper, for those who exert themselves). Despite all the talk of exercise being good for the heart, seldom do I stop and think about it actually being a muscle.
I've thought a lot about muscles this week. On Monday and Tuesday I spent some time helping a friend move boxes into storage, and my arm and leg muscles have reminded me about that activity every day since. It's strange to stop and think about the fact that muscle pain actually comes from small rips that use or exercise puts in the muscle. The "healed" muscle is supposedly a stronger and leaner muscle. The more you exercise, the more you tear down and build up the muscle.
Now I'm not too crazy about the idea of that happening to my heart muscle. Perhaps it's not impacted in the same way. But our emotional heart muscle is. Think about it. Something happens that hurts, whether it be bad news, failure, unkind words, a condescending attitude, or even disappointment. Sometimes the pain of those things seems to drag us down and we feel as if we'll never come up for air again. And yet, we do. And we're stronger and wiser after the event.
I'm a wimp. I don't know if I'll ever really like exercise, whether the physical or emotional kind. But I do know it helps, and that's saying something.
I've thought a lot about muscles this week. On Monday and Tuesday I spent some time helping a friend move boxes into storage, and my arm and leg muscles have reminded me about that activity every day since. It's strange to stop and think about the fact that muscle pain actually comes from small rips that use or exercise puts in the muscle. The "healed" muscle is supposedly a stronger and leaner muscle. The more you exercise, the more you tear down and build up the muscle.
Now I'm not too crazy about the idea of that happening to my heart muscle. Perhaps it's not impacted in the same way. But our emotional heart muscle is. Think about it. Something happens that hurts, whether it be bad news, failure, unkind words, a condescending attitude, or even disappointment. Sometimes the pain of those things seems to drag us down and we feel as if we'll never come up for air again. And yet, we do. And we're stronger and wiser after the event.
I'm a wimp. I don't know if I'll ever really like exercise, whether the physical or emotional kind. But I do know it helps, and that's saying something.
Comments