During a recent family visit, my wife and I were invited to participate in an afternoon game of bowling with our children and grandchildren. I mused to myself that it must have been fifty years since I last went bowling, but we were happy to join in the activity and looked forward to having fun and spending time with everyone.

Upon our arrival at the bowling alley, we all acquired the necessary gear and were assigned to our lane. Lots of laughter and encouragement heralded the start of our friendly games. Early on, though, I sustained an injury that caused a sharp pain in the back of my thigh. Because I had participated in and coached sports for many years, it was evident to me that the injury was a pulled hamstring. I was aware that the prevailing opinion in medical circles was that such injuries needed immediate rest and could take days, or even weeks, to heal.

However, I continued on so as not to spoil the activity for the rest of the family. But by the time we returned home, the injured area was quite painful.