Press stop, reset to keep going

Lauren Estes-Velez, Hartselle Enquirer

It’s funny how quickly the body will make you slow down once its ability to fight off infection is limited.

After being around the flu and strep all weekend, I woke up Dec. 26 feeling like I had been run over multiple times by the wonderful train that passes our downtown area. My face was on fire, I had a migraine, I was freezing, and every inch of my body ached.

I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it’s typically miserable and more than I want to handle.

Here I am, the day after Christmas, and the last thing I have time to deal with is being sick.

I had nine stories to write, people to personal train, and I needed to run and work out. I looked around my home and thought, “Man, I need to clean. My dog needs a bath. I physically do not have time to be sick!”

I did not want to get out of bed that day, but I managed to grab my work laptop and still write five of my nine stories. Other than that, not much else was accomplished.

I felt worthless. I hate being stuck on the sidelines in any aspect of life. It’s that much worse when you can’t tell your body to go.

By Dec. 27, not much had changed. My pale face, red nose and weak body reminded me that no person is indestructible.

Even those tough people, who think they can’t be stopped through all the hurdles of life, can be pushed down hard by the flu.

I don’t want anyone to think I can’t handle something, or finish a task, and that’s even more true when I know I don’t look like I feel good – and people keep asking me if I’m okay.

In my little independent mind, I assure myself I’m fine and can get it all done.

Truth be told, this is not always factual. Sometimes, we have to pause and let our bodies heal.

Sometimes, we have to press stop when we get run down – because the only way to get going again is by allowing your body a reset.