The Power of Play

I’ve been struggling with a wonky knee. You know how it is, you do all the things . . . all the therapy recommendations, all the mobility work. The rehab turns into a part-time job, one more thing on the to-do list. Nothing seems to help. You end up frustrated and tired of it all.

I heard someone say, “Live for something more than your own aches and pains.” That’s hard when the pain is a constant reminder of the drudgery you imagine lies ahead.

I decided to step away from the seriousness of it all, and I started playing. Just for the heck of it, I picked up a hacky sack that had been lying on my living room floor. I had a blast flicking and kicking that thing around! My body and my mind felt rejuvenated after just a few minutes. So much so that each day I started looking for bits of time between responsibilities when I could mess around with that hacky sack.

Before long, I realized my knee felt much better.

It didn’t require a huge investment in time or necessary equipment. I didn't think of it as mandatory exercise. It was just me playing in my living room, and it provided the relief I'd been seeking all along.