Bruises

Nothing like an angry rant to get you pumping iron harder than you've done before. Interesting night. Still don't think I maxed out, but I definitely pushed harder. Need to get new weights for the machine cause 5s and 10s aren't cutting it.
(Image (c) PixleAteIt ) So, I know I challenge my readers to a lot of things, but for the day that you read this, I have a unique challenge. And this is just for one day, but if you want to continue it to others/as long as it lasts, please do. My challenge is to tell someone who hurt you in the past that they did. Whether it was 5 minutes ago, an hour, or several years... tell that person. I know the great idea of "forgive and forget," but in all honesty, how often does that work? Small things like when a brother smacked you accidentally can be moved on pretty easily. But biting remarks, hurtful acts, and painful moments don't really go away because you say in your head "God, I forgive them for they no not what they do." It's great in theory, but in practice, we as humans far too often harbor that pain. Tonight, I did what I haven't done in literally years. I told a friend that a comment she had made earlier that night had hurt. We were hanging at college group and another friend challenged me to do the 47 pushups I was so proud to say I could do. So I got down and pumped out 57 to the point my arms were shaking hard and I don't think I could have done one more. And then the first friend without thinking about it commented that in the military, none of those pushups would have counted. It felt like a complete dismissal of everything that I had just so proudly achieved.

(Image (c) ginTonic13 ) She didn't know that I've been working out and keeping track of everything that I do to see my progress. She didn't know that I was super proud of myself in that moment. So it wasn't meant to hurt, but it did. Hours later I finally picked up the phone and texted her that it had hurt. She readily apologized and I forgave her and I told her it didn't damage our friendship at all. But it was freeing to admit to myself and to her that I had been hurt by it. So often, as a guy, I shove hurts down and push them off because "Who am I do tell them it hurt me? If I can get past it, then it doesn't change anything and we're both happy." But after a dozen times of being gently pushed or shoved, you start to show bruises. So perhaps the next time a shove comes along, let the person know. A hug later and you both bight be feeling a bit better after. So tell someone. You just might find the pain in your life to hurt just a little bit less.

-Jake