atrophy

Muscles get weaker and weaker until they give out when they are not used often enough. I have a few muscles, real and metaphorical, that are ready to give up on me.

I sometimes love without being loving. I forgive without being forgiving. I almost get there, or should I say I do get there, in my mind. However; when these muscles are called upon by a person close to me I suddenly feel bad because I have been caught unawares. I am not prepared to flex and extend and feel the burn of the lactic acid that comes from hard exercise. That good kind of hurt that happens when the tightness is coerced into loosening up, and the snapping and breaking down of cells makes us sore as we are reminded that there really is more to life than sitting and saving ourselves. What am I saving myself for? Or from?

Soft-hearted. Tender. Both words that fit this muscular, chemical metaphor. I live with this tenderness. My men here.

And I want a subtle mallet to tenderize me and my beating heart. Flexibility. Love. Forgiveness. I pray. I pray.



*Musical Monday is starting again next week, so I have included links to some past faves, as a refresher.

The Water Is Wide
Home
Halleluiah

17 comments

Mrs4444 | June 29, 2009 at 7:16 AM

We could all use a little tenderizer now and then :)

I'm looking forward to Music Mondays!! I'll email a special song from our party Saturday; I think you're going to love it :)

Kazzy | June 29, 2009 at 7:22 AM

Cool, thanks 4-squared!

Lara Neves | June 29, 2009 at 9:21 AM

I was just thinking about this a little bit yesterday. I feel that, at this point in my life, some very important things have atrophied and I'm not progressing at all.

Thanks for this beautiful post.

CHERRANNE | June 29, 2009 at 9:47 AM

You are QUEEN OF METAPHOR, Kaz.
:-) Your blog is something I really appreciate. Thanks.

Midge | June 29, 2009 at 12:31 PM

It is interesting that while we work on something physical, mentally/spiritually was are being worked also.

Boy do I know the sore and tender muscles. I can barely walk today!

Kimberly Vanderhorst | June 29, 2009 at 2:06 PM

Beautifully heart wrenching. I could do with some tenderizing myself.

Luann | June 29, 2009 at 4:35 PM

I think instead of the flat side, you better use the spiky side of the mallet on me. I need a lot of working and reworking. More than I generally care to admit.

Connie | June 29, 2009 at 6:25 PM

Is it the same as running a marathon in your mind compared to actually doing it? It really does take more muscles and action and sweat and endurance to really DO something.

Thanks for the thought. It's time I worked my "muscles"

April | June 29, 2009 at 9:01 PM

You know just how to say how I feel. I need to be tenderized.

Anonymous | June 29, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Great Metaphor!

Little GrumpyAngel | June 30, 2009 at 12:19 AM

How do you do that? You find metaphors in everyday life and you express them so brilliantly that one cannot read without seeing, hearing and feeling.

I have to admit, part of me dreads the mallet no matter how tender, and the pain that comes with stretching...

Organic Meatbag | June 30, 2009 at 7:05 AM

Ah, I think I would pass on having my heart tenderized with a mallet...maybe it can just be marinated and infused with spices instead...hahaha...

Erin | June 30, 2009 at 5:53 PM

This is a great metaphor! I know I have things to work on too, both physically and mentally.

Heidi | June 30, 2009 at 10:50 PM

This sounds so superficial after this lovely post of yours but I have to ask--how to have time to always have your hair look so fab and so different? I think you have had about a dozen different styles in the 10 months since I have known you. Love it! (Can't wait for more musical Mondays!)

Linde | July 1, 2009 at 2:48 PM

Yes...I have some that could use some work!

Heather of the EO | July 1, 2009 at 8:06 PM

Sometimes I come here and I just honestly have no words.

I love your heart and mind and the way you express it.

Maybe I should just say that every time?

:)

charrette | July 1, 2009 at 9:04 PM

Mmmm...I love that metaphor. The burn, the ache, the stretch...of exercising our under-used hearts. Yeah, I could use a little tenderizing. :)