Easter, for some, has a religious significance, while others simply call it the official beginning of Spring.  No matter what, Easter is a cause for celebration as it marks the ending of winter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I spent the vast majority of the day with family and friends … and even managed to head to the movie theater for a mid-day flick.  I am sure many of you have heard the "late breaking" news about the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked southern California.  Believe it or not, I was enjoying a mid-afternoon movie flick when this trembler occurred.  Laura and I looked at each other for about 2 seconds, and when the building did not stop "rolling" within 5 seconds decided to bolt for the exit.   We were right in the middle of probably the best parts of the movie when earthquake suddenly hit.  Next thing we knew, everyone took off running for the exits.  I've never experienced a larger earthquake than this one, but I am wise enough to know that earthquakes don't kill people … falling structures do!  The "rolling" lasted for about 25 seconds but no structural damage was reported or seen.  At any rate, the shit was scary to experience.  

I am pretty much recovered from my surgery about a month ago and am slowly getting back into the groove.  My body is responding and I have been able to put back on about 5 pounds since I started training again about 2 weeks ago.  It has been slow  … molasses slow … but I'm getting there.  I am expecting to get better and better weekly so we'll see what this week brings.  Needless to say, this whole entire experience of having to do light to moderate weight is very humbling.  I am SO used to warming up with and throwing up heavy weights that I literally feel that I am not accomplishing anything with the amount of weights that I have been using.  I love challenges and embrace the difficulties that may lie ahead in all aspects of life, and this experience is no different.  I thrive best when my back is up against the wall and i theoretically have "no shot."  

All of this is unchartered waters for me as I have always been able to "call the shots" when it came to my strength and goals.  I am learning to "roll with the punches" and take what life has to give me one step at at time … or more appropriately, one punch at a time.  Does this mean that I take it down a notch when it comes to my training intensity?  Absolutely not … not exactly.  I am learning to continue to push in areas that are structurally intact and to back off the areas that are compromised structurally.  The human body prefers to be in a constant homeostatic state of balance.  It will always find a way to balance out.  This belief in a preferred "homeostatic state" fortifies my overall belief that my body will physically balance itself out so that one area does not overpower or outgrow the rest of its parts … so long as there exists a psychological or mental desire to gain muscle mass.  Before a physical accomplishment can occur, a dream or strong mental desire has to present.  If you can dream it, you can achieve it.  Not just in the gym, but in all aspects of life.