The Importance of Core

I recently had surgery to have my gallbladder removed.  It was something that had bothered me off and on for about 7 years.  So far my surgery and the recovery has been a really positive experience.  The outpatient surgery was laprascopic with no major incisions.   Just 4 little holes around my abdomen.

During the first few days of recovery, I never realized how much I actually use your abdominal muscles throughout the day.  Obviously I knew sitting up out of bed would be difficult.  What I didn't know is how much you actually use your abs when you wash dishes, open and close doors, get dressed, pick up your child, laugh, open jars, put on your seat belt, etc...  You use your core for everything!!

I was reminded that if my core is weak, my whole body is weak.  This isn't necessarily true of other parts of the body.  If my arm or leg is weak, I can usually compensate by making another part of my body stronger.  But if my core is weak, I am weak.

So as I heal and recover, I am reminded of how important it is to gain strength in my core before I strengthen other parts of my body.

As I think about it the same is also true in my personal life.  My core is my relationships with God, my family, my health, and my finances.  If all of those are strong, I am usually strong in the other areas of my life including work, friends, recreation, etc.  However, if there is stress in one or more of my core areas then there is usually stress in all other areas. 

So as I heal and recover my physical core, I must also continue to strengthen the core areas of my life.

What are the core areas of your life?  How are they?  How do you continue to strengthen them?