[2024-11-05] Knowing where the line is
In response to my post Testing one's limits—in which I talked about the tests people who have been ill or in treatment use to assess their recovery—a friend wrote to me:
Sometimes you have to cross the line to know where the line is… then respect the line!
I thought this was brilliant. I've quoted my friend numerous times in the past week and a half—so much so that I concluded that I should immortalize her wisdom here.
I realized that as I've tested my limits during my recovery from a given surgery or some treatment, I've often crossed an invisible line. In doing so, I learned where the line was. For instance, seven weeks after my breast reconstruction surgery, I wondered whether I was ready to return to side sleeping. I tried but soon recognized that I'm not.
Line crossed. Line identified. Line respected.
