What do you think of this?

Question

When I was in college, I rode my bike a pretty fair amount. I would ride 20-30 miles 4 or 5 times a week and I also used my bike most of the time for getting around town.

I got into a phase where I had a lot of crashes. Usually minor stuff but I made one trip to the ER and had another one that was fairly nasty.

Looking back, I have to admit that I enjoyed the process of my body healing itself and I didn't really mind the pain of the crashes so much. I don't think I sought out crashes, but I definitely had no fear of them (even after my trip to the ER).

I had never really reflected on this until somebody recently 'accused ' me of being a masochist (in another question). For some reason this triggered in me a refletion on this period where I crashed a lot. And I am wondering if I went through a masochistic phase.

Aww, I love you Riegan.

Answer 1

No, it's actually normal for young males.

The cultural significance of injury or risk of injury is different for different people at different stages of their lives.

Young males often express themselves and find their self identity in very physical ways, including risk taking. To outsiders this sometimes looks like madness, but it's just one particular way of being human.

Answer 2

Tough call. It does sound a bit masochistic to keep riding your bike all the time when it has caused you so much pain.

I'd imagine you were just still in the "invincible" stage and didn't think your crashes actually meant much. When we are younger we will think "I got hurt? Big deal, it will grow back." When we are older we think "I don't want to have to go through that again. It might not turn out so well next time." It was probably more a factor of the invincibility quotient and being young and feeling you have a whole lot of life left.

Answer 3

Perhaps you simply are a masochist. Nothing wrong with that-just be careful not to cause permanent harm. I think most people enjoy a little bit of pain.
*Although I certainly did not this morning-I caught my heel on the edge of the door and stepped on a carpet tack! Karma? What did I do???? Eek...better think about that one.

Answer 4

I think this question doesn't belong in Religion & Spirituality but in Psychology.

It sounds as though you wanted to get past your fear of crashes and subconsciously may have instigated them. Did you fear them before your accidents? If your answer is yes, then there you go. Now, skidaddle.

Answer 5

Mullah, you are one strange guy.

But seriously, I think sometimes things like injuries can break up the monotony of life. I don't like pain and having to recover by any means (physical therapy is the closest thing to hell on Earth) but it's nice to have something different in your life when you're used to the same old routine.

Answer 6

Possibly.

Answer 7

Got me?

But I've met enough people who are just fascinated with the body, strangely, I've dated a few physical therapists and nurses (or they were majoring) and every little bodily ache, pain, scrape, etc they'd investigate like a little kid just becoming aware of themselves.

So, I dunno. Not minding the pain and enjoying the pain are two different things. But maybe it was just intrigue in your own anatomy?

Answer 8

Yes, but the trick is to not get hurt to badly and yet be hurt more so then any other person around you. The person deemed to be the most "victim" gets all the cookies.

Answer 9

I doubt you did, it just sounds like you can withstand pain better than most people. And that you don't worry as much as most poeple.

Answer 10

No, I do not think so. You were just an ordinary boy. It is a miracle that boys live past 13 ; )