The other day was talking while I was eating. A cardinal sin, I know, and as a result, I chomped down on my cheek. OUCH!
It really really really hurt!! 😣
However, what hurt more was the second, third and fourth time I bit the same spot over the following days.
The pain got so bad, I was nervous to eat.
I actually changed my eating habits to have a “soft” diet – porridge, smoothies, soups – I avoided chewing.
So why did I keep biting my cheek?
Apparently when you bite the inside of your cheek (or lip), you traumatise the area. It then becomes inflamed and swells up slightly. This small swelling causes the area to be more likely to get hit again and again. This can cause a traumatic ulcer with a repeated and sustained injury.
Ha. Ever notice our worst leaders were like a traumatic ulcers creating an environment that is inflamed?
Under their leadership we changed the way we showed up, the way we worked and the way we led, all in order to avoid more pain.
Chew on that! 😜