Stationary Bike

Summary

A woman reflects on her recurring problem, questioning whether her approach should be to fight it with strength or to transcend it by becoming impervious.

Abstract

The narrative centers on a woman's internal struggle with a persistent problem. Despite her efforts to be careful and vigilant, the issue resurfaces, leading her to introspect about when and how she might have let her guard down. Instead of dwelling on the past, she reaffirms her commitment to a problem-free life, visualizes her desired outcome, and tries to avoid self-judgment. An epiphany strikes her as she considers whether she subconsciously allows the problem to persist as a means of self-improvement, akin to exercising at the gym. She ponders if the true solution lies not in building strength to combat the problem but in transcending it, allowing it to pass without resistance. The story concludes with her leaving the gym early, symbolizing a potential shift in her approach to dealing with her challenges.

Opinions

The protagonist views her problem as an opportunity for personal growth, similar to how one might view physical exercise.
She believes that occasional setbacks should not be cause for despair but rather seen as part of the journey towards overcoming her issues.
The woman considers the possibility that her problem is intrinsically linked to her concept of strength, suggesting a reevaluation of her strategy.
There is a suggestion that true resolution might come from a state of non-resistance, where one becomes 'impervious' to the problem by transcending it.
The act of cutting her gym session short may imply a readiness to change her tactics and embrace a new approach to her recurring issue.

Fighting or transcending?

Just when she thought it was over and she was in the clear the situation arose yet again. How did she let it happen? She had been careful and vigilant and resolute. When and how did she let her guard down?

Unable to pinpoint the moment when she had reopened the door to the problem, she put it behind her and did what she did every time the situation came up. She affirmed her intent to live without the problem. She visualized the problem gone and turned her focus to what it was that she truly wanted. She tried not to judge and punish herself, acknowledging that occasional setbacks were not the end of the world. Vowing to overcome, she would only become stronger.

Suddenly, she had an insight. Did she subconsciously allow the problem to reappear as a way to continuously force herself to get stronger? Was it like exercise; a way to force herself to go to the gym?

Was it really strength that she was trying to build? Strength and her problem seemed to be linked somehow. Perhaps strength was not the answer. Instead of fighting the problem with strength maybe what she really needed to do was transcend the problem entirely, allowing it to dissipate as it moved through her without any resistance on her part. Could she become impervious?

Getting off the exercise bike, she wiped the sweat off her face with a towel. Deciding to cut her gym session short she headed for the locker room.

Stationary Bike

Fighting or transcending?

Euphoria Street

Walking through paradise