Relative Something

It amazes me to think about the subtle details of the workings of our bodies. The vast majority of what goes on, day in and day out, we take for granted. I found myself sitting on the floor for an extended amount of time recently and in just a few minutes in which I had my knees bent to support a laptop, the knee joints began to send signals of pain to announce that position would not be tolerated. I do not suffer any problems with my knees, and under normal standing, walking, and heavy sports activity, I get no pain signals. But, when put in an awkward static position under moderate stress, they quickly announce a problem. They aren’t designed to support weight at that angle.

Imagine what it would be like if we needed to be consciously aware of everything that is going on in our bodies all the time. Of course it is impressive that our flinch reaction pulls us away from harm before we even realize the need, but I am just as fascinated that my bladder can expand like a balloon to isolate urine from the rest of the organs and then collapse within the abdomen as it drains, and do so in a repeating cycle over and over and over for years on end. I am fascinated that the lining of my stomach survives the acid within. I am amazed that somehow the sensation of clothes against my skin gets filtered out of my consciousness, but at the same time I will notice an ant climbing up my leg. My heart beats and lungs pull in air and innumerable little miracles of science transpire, changing pace and depth automatically, never once needing to wait for me to decide. At the rate I make decisions, imagine what a mess that would be if it needed to wait on me in order to happen.

So, what is happening in your body at this minute that you weren’t thinking about until you read this?