I went to the gym this morning and noted this quote on the motivational whiteboard at the entrance:

“The Magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.” (Anonymous)

I almost didn’t get to the gym today, and most folks would say I have a good excuse. I struggle with chronic lower back pain stemming from a fused sacroiliac joint and broken vertebrae from an accident many years ago, so morning stiffness is always rough. I also wear a prosthetic leg, and some days the fit is more “off” than others. I joke that I’ve got an unpredictable body, resembling the volatility and instability of the weather.

Like many folks with chronic conditions, my energy reserves wax and wane. Pain and limitations can truly take their toll, but I know these two simple truths: Movement and connection are good. Isolation and stagnation are bad.

I truly understand that on some days it's an incredible challenge to feel motivation. My work at a rehabilitation hospital puts the potential inertia brought on by physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges front and center. Without a doubt, some days really do suck! It can feel next to impossible to get out of a rut. But, in the long run, the pain of staying stuck in thinking and nonacting mode is way worse than taking the crucial steps to keep moving.

The “spoon theory” is a relatively new........

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