Maybe I should watch t.v. a little more often

My neck has been kind of stiff now for, uh, a couple years.  I've had a few headaches more than normal and occasional neck pain that gets in the way of driving and lifting children, but it eventually goes away, mostly.  I've just lived with it.  Hey, I've lived with back pain before, why not neck pain now?  If it's not one thing, it's something else, right?

For my birthday this year, I thought I'd get a really good full-body massage.  The massage lady ended up focusing on my shoulders, neck, a little of my back, and didn't get anywhere else. My neck was totally locked up.  I didn't tell her for how long it's been that way.  We set up another appointment for a few days later.  Again, most of the work was on the neck and shoulders.

I asked her why the problems in my neck.  She figured it was perhaps some sleep posture, the physical demands of being a mother, and probably just being busy (stress).  She said the occasional headaches are a warning sign and I should do more stretching of warm muscles.

I told her when I've driven lately I've tried to focus on relaxing my neck.  I can always feel I'm tense there and I have to conscientiously try and relax.  I then realized that I almost never take time to relax.  I don't usually do passive activities.  I rarely sit back to enjoy a book and nearly never watch t.v.  If we watch anything, it's a documentary on pbs.org and, of course, I have to be multi-tasking:  hemming pants, hand stitching a neckline, cutting out a pattern.

For many years, my husband and I have tried to be very productive.  We try and be "faucets," not "drains."  We try and not waste time.  We make the most of it.

However, productivity has it's drawbacks.  I realize that sometimes, our minds are willing, but our bodies are not.  I'm reminded of how precious and fragile my body is, and there's no need to run faster than I have strength (D&C 10:4).  A worn out mother is pretty useless.  Sounds like I need to kick back, relax, quiet those muscles, and watch some t.v.