I recently came across something called “General Adaptation
Syndrome” which describes how the body responds, and adapts, to stresses placed
on it. This is the foundation of any
exercise program and conditioning your body to become stronger and more
functional.
There are 3 phases: the “Alarm Reaction” stage is how the
body physiologically and psychologically responds to the increased force being
placed upon it. As in an “Oh my lord, I
have not worked out in a long time and my muscles are KILLING me!!” sort of
reaction. In this phase, things are
often uncomfortable and difficult; like making a running start on a sharp
incline; you wear out quickly. But, over
time, you condition your body to more efficiently respond to those stresses placed
upon them and the burden feels considerably lighter. This is called the “Resistance Development”
stage.
When I began studying these phases it immediately struck me
how closely physical and emotional development are related. They go through the same phases of
development. They are connected.
About 3 years ago I actively decided to get my body into
better shape. It amazes me, now, how I
can do certain things with veritable ease that seemed nearly IMPOSSIBLE 3 years
ago. But I wanted to be stronger. I wanted to be able to adapt more easily to
my surroundings, and just feel better.
As life would have it, about 2 ½ years ago I started on
another conditioning program, one that was for my mind and life
perception. It was initiated by an
“alarm reaction” to a stressful situation and I realized I wanted to get my
intellect into better shape as well. The
way I was handling my life and how I saw it just wasn’t getting me where I
wanted to be. I was angry and
frustrated. The muscle I had to
condition in this realm of development was my compassion, my
understanding of others, and getting my ego out of the way. Trust me; some days trying to move that
self-serving ego is no small feat; it would be easier to lift weights and/or run
for 12 hours straight! It is difficult but
I have been conditioning myself ever since because I want to see things in a
different way. I have little energy as
it is; I hated the idea of spending it spinning my wheels in anxiety and
anger. The growth I have made – the
peace I have created within me - is worth every moment invested. It has become easier for me to understand the
nature of others and therefore be more compassionate. It has helped me build bridges – to connect –
with those around me, near and far.
The last phase of this development is the “Exhaustion”
stage. This is when “prolonged stress or
intolerable amounts of stress can lead to exhaustion or distress”. In a physical aspect, this is where injury
occurs; fractures, strains, joint pain, emotional fatigue. Essentially when the body can’t take any more and begins to break down. In the psychological world, it is this point
where your mind says, “I can’t take any more!” Now, based on conditioning, life experiences,
teachings, etc., we all have different boiling points – the moment we reach or
maximum capacity of negative stressors.
For some, that path is very short – literally and figuratively,
physically and emotionally. For those
that have not conditioned their compassion muscle (and it’s easy to let slide
or ignore in a society teeming with visions of “me vs. you” (watched any
reality TV lately?)), there’s going to be a lot of yelling and
frustration. I simply grew tired of
that. As I began to strengthen my mental
muscle, the exhaustion stage took a lot longer to reach; I simply have better
endurance.
So do I still get to my breaking point? Shoot yeah!!
And some days thanks to inadequate sleep, poor dietary choices,
dehydration, bad alignment of the planets, I can handle stresses/negativity a
lot less efficiently or objectively. But
that’s no longer where I live. I’ve
made myself stronger by changing the shape of my perspective. (And it looks AWESOME!) Changing my perspective doesn’t change what
other people do; that’s not my job. I
can only change me and so I have changed the way I listen to what another
person is saying; when I do, I create a peaceful place inside of me that gives
me clarity to open my eyes to another’s suffering. I change my anger into sympathy, empathy, and
compassion.
When I’m around someone who is as cuddly as a porcupine I
realize I have no control over their bristles but I can handle the situation
with care and understand that I too have bristles some days. When those sharp jabs start to wear me down,
that’s when I have to step back and regroup.
It’s still not about me but it can get hard to take. By regrouping my thoughts, I give myself a
better shot at absorbing those stings and just letting them pass through me
verses feeling every prick; after all, those quills aren’t attached to MY skin.
EVERY creature has his or her place in the choir. EVERY person has a purpose and a role. You can’t control what others do, but you
can change what you see if you aren’t happy with the condition you are in right
now. Physically or mentally. It’s an ongoing process but it is a way of
life that I have come to love. I want to
feel my best physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Like a holy trinity, each is dependent on the
other; individual parts all connected. I
am a happier person because I get out of my own way more and more each day and
choose to see others as fellow people, all struggling in one way or another,
just like I am. We are all in this together. I hope your struggles become
a process that leads you to peace.
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